UMAHI SEEKS TIGHTER CONTROL OF SCRAP MARKETS

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the governments of Anambra and Delta states to strengthen monitoring of scrap markets following the vandalisation of components of the First Niger Bridge.

Umahi made the call during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Onitsha end of the bridge.

He expressed concern over the continued theft of critical bridge components, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion-joint steelwork.

The minister said the Federal Government had incurred significant costs repairing damage caused by vandals.

He urged the two state governments to monitor scrap dealers and markets more closely, noting that stolen infrastructure could be sold through such channels.

Umahi also appealed to residents to treat the protection of critical infrastructure as a collective responsibility and report suspected vandalism to security agencies.

The First Niger Bridge was temporarily closed to traffic from September 7 for emergency rehabilitation after vandalised structural components were discovered.

The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended by one week because of persistent rainfall affecting the repair work.

Umahi said the rehabilitation would improve the condition and durability of the bridge when completed.