In a shocking turn of events, the recently inaugurated Second Niger Bridge has fallen victim to acts of vandalism.
The incident took place on Wednesday when unknown individuals targeted the road fittings of the bridge, causing significant damage. Specifically, the expansion joint walkway on axis 330 of the bridge was stolen, leaving motorists and project officials deeply concerned about the safety and functionality of the structure.
A reliable source, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed the unfortunate occurrence, stating, “Unfortunately, it’s true. The stolen fitting is an essential component of the expansion joints, and its absence poses potential discomfort to motorists traveling on that road.”
The revelation of this incident has sparked worries among the supervising engineers responsible for overseeing the Second Niger Bridge project.
It is noteworthy to recall that the former president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, commissioned the N336 billion bridge, along with seven other critical infrastructure projects, on May 23, 2023.
This historic achievement marked a significant milestone in the nation’s infrastructure development, putting an end to almost five decades of broken promises by successive administrations. The completion of the bridge was officially announced by the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, during a briefing in October 2022.
In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion during the festive season, the Federal Government opened the Second Niger Bridge on December 15, 2022.
Stretching over 1.6 kilometers, the bridge acts as a vital link between Anambra and Delta states, effectively reducing the strain on the existing Niger Bridge. Furthermore, the Second Niger Bridge aims to enhance economic activities and foster better connectivity between the South-East region and the rest of the country.
As news of the vandalism spread, concerns mounted about the implications for the bridge’s functionality and the potential risks faced by motorists. Despite these worries, the Ministry of Works and Housing has yet to release an official statement confirming the incident.
Newsmen reached out to the ministry spokesperson, Blessing Adams-Lere, for further details, but no response has been received at the time of writing.
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