Umahi: Scrap Market Monitoring Niger Bridge to Stop Vandalism

• Minister of Works, David Umahi, directed Anambra and Delta state governors to monitor scrap markets to prevent vandalism at the First Niger Bridge.
• The Federal Government has spent significant funds repairing vandalized bolts, nuts, and expansion joints on the bridge.
• Umahi ordered a nationwide ban on sand dredging within 10 kilometers of any bridge, citing threats to structural integrity.
• The First Niger Bridge, which was closed for emergency repairs due to vandalism, is expected to reopen next week after comprehensive rehabilitation.
• Umahi also directed the removal of illegal billboards on the bridge, replacing them with images of President Bola Tinubu.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for companies involved in sand dredging nationwide must be aware of this federal directive, necessitating an immediate review of their operations to ensure adherence to the 10km exclusion zone around all bridges.

Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a direct appeal to the governors of Anambra and Delta states, urging them to intensify oversight of scrap markets within their jurisdictions. This directive stems from a critical need to curb the escalating theft and vandalism of vital infrastructure, particularly at the First Niger Bridge, a key national asset connecting the two states. The minister's call for enhanced **Umahi scrap market monitoring Niger Bridge** operations was made during an on-site inspection of ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Onitsha end of the bridge.

Umahi expressed significant concern over the persistent activities of vandals, highlighting the substantial financial burden placed on the Federal Government to repair damaged components. He noted that considerable funds have been expended to replace vandalized bolts, nuts, and expansion joints. Recalling his tenure as governor, Umahi revealed he had previously implemented a comprehensive ban on all scrap-related activities in Ebonyi State, citing their direct contribution to the destruction of public infrastructure. He emphasized that vandalism incurs immense costs for the government and urged the public to embrace a shared responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure, encouraging citizens to report any suspicious activities to security agencies.

Beyond the immediate issue of **Anambra Delta scrap market regulation**, the minister also addressed other forms of encroachment on public infrastructure. He ordered the immediate removal of all unauthorized advertisement billboards adorning the bridge. These billboards are to be replaced with images of President Bola Tinubu, a gesture Umahi described as a recognition of the President's contributions to the South-East region.

In a significant move to bolster **Nigeria infrastructure protection**, Minister Umahi reiterated a strict prohibition on illegal sand dredging activities in the vicinity of the First Niger Bridge. He underscored that such operations pose a severe threat to the structural integrity of the bridge. This local directive is part of a broader, nationwide policy initiative aimed at safeguarding critical transportation links across the country.

To enforce this comprehensive measure, Umahi has instructed the Bridge Director to draft and dispatch official correspondence to several high-ranking security and governmental bodies. These include the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Commandant of the Civil Defence, and the Federal Executive Council. The purpose of these letters is to formalize a nationwide directive that explicitly bans all sand dredging operations within a 10-kilometer radius of any bridge in Nigeria. This **David Umahi directives** on **illegal sand dredging Nigeria bridges** signifies a robust federal commitment to preventing damage to public assets through environmental exploitation.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for companies involved in sand dredging nationwide must be aware of this federal directive, necessitating an immediate review of their operations to ensure adherence to the 10km exclusion zone around all bridges. Similarly, legal teams supporting scrap metal businesses in Anambra and Delta states should anticipate heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential new directives concerning scrap market operations, driven by these federal efforts to curb infrastructure vandalism.

The First Niger Bridge had experienced a temporary closure from September 7 to September 21 to facilitate emergency rehabilitation work, following the discovery of vandalized structural elements, including bolts, nuts, and sections of its expansion-joint steelwork. This closure was subsequently extended by an additional week due to persistent rainfall, which impacted the pace of repairs. Minister Umahi confirmed that the bridge is slated for reopening in the coming week, once all rehabilitation tasks are successfully concluded.

Umahi commended SKECC, the contractor responsible for the rehabilitation, for their diligent progress. He confirmed that the vandalized bolts have been replaced and secured, and a specialized expansion joint, which had also been targeted by vandals, was manufactured, flown into the country, and successfully installed. The minister expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive scope of work undertaken, which includes the installation of CCTV cameras, new streetlights, asphalt resurfacing, and the reconstruction of both the carriageway and walkways, alongside the repair of expansion joints and bolts. All metallic elements of the bridge are also slated for repainting in grey.

Umahi affirmed that the Federal Government would not be pressured into prematurely reopening the bridge until all essential repairs and safety measures were thoroughly completed. He reiterated his intention to beautify the bridge with President Tinubu's pictures after the rehabilitation, stating that the President's hard work deserved such recognition. He also made a political statement, noting that despite the Ndigbo not voting for Tinubu in the last election, the President was still delivering good works, and urged them not to waste their votes in 2027.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for scrap metal businesses in Anambra and Delta states should anticipate increased regulatory scrutiny and potential new directives regarding scrap market operations, driven by federal efforts to curb infrastructure vandalism. Additionally, companies involved in sand dredging nationwide must be aware of the federal directive banning such activities within 10km of any bridge, necessitating immediate compliance review.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers