In response, the Federal Government has ordered security
personnel to begin surveillance patrols on the bridge and surroundings to
prevent a recurrence.
A source in the works ministry confirmed the theft on
Wednesday, reporting that the expansion joint walkway on axis 330 of the bridge
had been stolen.
The source said, “Unfortunately, It’s true. The stolen
fitting is an element from the expansion joints of the bridge. Drivers on that
road have to be careful as the damaged part can cause discomfort to motorists.”
Another source who spoke to our correspondent corroborated
the report, adding that supervising engineers are not happy about the incident.
Giving further details, the Director. Highway, Bridges and
Designs, Omotayo Awosanya, stated that the incident happened a week ago on the
Onitsha side of the bridge.
He said, “The expansion Joint at the median walkway of the
bridge at Axis 330 on the Onitsha side of the bridge was stolen on the night of
Wednesday 5th July 2023. Only one side was removed.
“We have informed the
Police, DSS, and the Army to include the bridge in surveillance and security
operations henceforth.”
In addition, he noted that there would be no implications
for the vehicles using the road since the expansion joints are intact on the
carriageways.
Recall that on May 23, the former president, Muhammadu
Buhari, commissioned the N336 billion bridge, via an online platform, Zoom
alongside seven other infrastructural projects.
The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,
announced the completion of the bridge at a briefing in October 2022 after
almost five decades of failed promises by successive administrations.
On December 15, 2022, the Federal Government also opened the
Second Niger Bridge for use to ease traffic in the South-East during the
festive season.
The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the
1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National
Party of Nigeria.
Patterned after the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the 1.6
kilometers long bridge linking Anambra and Delta states is to decongest traffic
on the existing Niger Bridge, boost economic activities, and connect the South-East
with the rest of the country.
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