The Federal Government has ordered the immediate installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights on the First Niger Bridge to tackle vandalism and theft of critical components of the structure.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the First and Second Niger bridges as part of efforts to monitor ongoing construction and maintenance activities in the area.
Umahi expressed concern over the removal and theft of bolts, expansion joints and iron bars supporting the First Niger Bridge, warning that the activities could pose serious risks to the safety of road users.
The minister said the proposed CCTV system would provide live footage to relevant government officials and security agencies, including the police, making it easier to identify and apprehend suspected vandals.
While inspecting the bridge, Umahi said:
“We saw this vandalism on the social media. We want to thank members of the public for bringing this to our attention.
“The bolts holding this bridge have been vandalised and stolen, including the overhead steel bar which has been disconnected, and that is even more dangerous.
“This will be very difficult to refix because the bridge is under tension, and as I am dragging it, it will make the members to yield.
“People are saying the bridge is shaking, but that is because of the bearing, every bridge shakes. Some movement is normal for bridges. The bridge currently carries considerable dead load because of the asphalt on it.”
Umahi directed the Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, to immediately procure and replace the stolen or damaged bolts, after which welding works would begin.
The minister also announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras on the bridge, with the surveillance system connected to both officials’ devices and the police.
“We will fix solar streetlights and CCTV on this bridge and that will be transmitted to your phone and also linked to the police.
“Maintenance work will also commence on the bridge and it will be closed at night during the exercise,” he added.
Umahi also inspected the Second Niger Bridge, where he identified an area affected by erosion and ordered the immediate arrest of anyone found illegally excavating sand around the structure.
He warned illegal sand miners and vandals against activities capable of damaging federal infrastructure, stressing that the government could not continue investing in major projects only for them to be undermined by criminal activities.
“I don’t want to know who they are. Once you find anyone involved in the excavation of sand around this area, you must arrest them.
“The Federal Government cannot build bridges for the people and vandals to continue to destroy them. Henceforth, the entire bridge will be wired with cameras to ensure that these vandals are arrested.
“We will fix solar streetlights and CCTV on this bridge and that will be downloaded to your phone and also linked it to the police, so that if we see anyone who comes here to vandalize the bridge, and we pick them up.
“I have better things to do than to keep coming here to inspect vandalisation of infrastructure built by the federal government for the people,” he added.
The planned surveillance and lighting systems are expected to strengthen security around both bridges, while the Federal Government moves to repair damage already caused by vandalism and protect the infrastructure from further attacks.
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