The Federal Ministry of Works has unveiled a reward program to incentivise information leading to the arrest of those responsible for vandalising the recently completed Second Niger Bridge.
Reacting to the news of damaged expansion joints, Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi condemned the act in no uncertain terms, calling it "evil and cowardly."
A statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Uchenna Orji, echoed the Minister's sentiments. "The Minister condemns in the strongest terms this ruthless destruction of the expansion joints," the statement read, "a deliberate act of sabotage on a key national infrastructure that has immense socioeconomic benefits to the contiguous states and indeed the entire nation."
"It is saddening," the statement continued, "that a human being with the right senses could destroy such a critical and strategic treasure that catalyses Nigeria's socioeconomic advancement."
The Minister highlighted the Second Niger Bridge's significance. Inaugurated in December 2023 under the "Renewed Hope" administration, the bridge aimed to address the region's long-standing road infrastructure needs and enhance access to southern Nigeria, as highlighted by Mr Orji.
"But it is heartrending," the statement concluded, "that the facilities are being vandalised by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves."
The Minister commended the patriotic young Nigerian who raised the alarm through a video and assured that a more formidable security architecture would be activated to forestall further havoc on the facilities.
He echoed this sentiment, urging all road users, residents and authorities within the vicinity of the bridge to "keep watch against persons who vandalised, attempted to vandalise or tampered with the road infrastructure facilities on the project." Specific contact details for reporting such activity were provided.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, confirmed the deployment of a police team to the scene. He mirrored the Minister's bewilderment, questioning "how they remove them [the vandalised rail fittings]" given their significant weight.
Investigations are underway, and the government's reward program aims to incentivise information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators.