The Federal Government has ordered security patrols around the 2nd Niger Bridge and its surroundings to prevent further vandalisation.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman, revealed this on Monday in Asaba while inspecting the bridge which was being vandalised.
”We came here purposely to see the level of vandalisation, and to also interface with the people and take the necessary measures to avoid recurrence.
”We have also interfaced with the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger, and I must say it is really unfortunate.
”We have, however, engaged and written to security agencies, asking them to intensify surveillance activities along the bridge so that this does not happen again,” he said.
He also called on host communities in Anambra and Delta states to engage in more sensitisation/advocacy against the vandalisation of the bridge.
Mamman condemned the removal of some metal components from the bridge by vandals, but said safeguarding national assets could not be left to the security agencies alone.
“The host communities also have roles to play in that regard,’’ he said.
The permanent secretary explained that the bridge was a massive infrastructure put in place by the Federal Government to ease movement of goods and services for Nigerians.
”The Federal Government has actually done what it is supposed to do.
”But at the same time, the host communities have the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the bridge, because safeguarding and protecting national assets is a collective responsibility.”
