By ANGELA ATABO

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has raised serious concerns over massive and persistent vandalism of critical infrastructure projects across the country.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, Umahi

Warned that the destruction threatened the sustainability of Nigeria’s road and bridge network.

He said the ministry was compelled to address the growing incidents of sabotage, particularly along the Lagos coastal highway and major bridges nationwide.

According to the minister, infrastructure along the coastal route in Lagos has been repeatedly targeted by vandals in spite of ongoing efforts to secure the area.

He disclosed that during a recent visit to Lagos, he observed extensive break-ins and destruction of protective installations.

“I thank the governor and the people of Lagos state for the assistance and the commission of police. They have massively deployed security personnel within the coastal route to check vandalism.

“I want the public to go and see, the things we have done to protect the coastal route being destroyed by people.

“The green barbed wire we put to expose the beauty of the coastal route in a number of sections are being cut and taken by people.

Umahi said the Shagamu–Owode road project was designed with a 12-metre width, but only nine metres had been paved so far, leaving three metres yet to be completed.

He explained that a connecting steel barrier, commonly called wire bars, had been installed along the unfinished section, but pedestrians continue to cross through it.

Umahi also spoke on the removal of green barbed wires previously installed along parts of the coastal highway, saying they were meant to secure and beautify the corridor.

Addressing recent flooding along the coastal highway, the minister attributed the problem to blocked underground drainage systems.

He blamed indiscriminate waste disposal, stating, “refuse dumped into manholes blocks water channels and contributes to flooding in parts of Lagos.

“The flooding occurred because our underground channels are blocked with refuse. People dump their daily waste inside manholes.

“The public has a duty to protect public assets,” he said.

The minister emphasised that while the ministry of works was committed to delivering value for money, no human endeavour was perfect.

“No one is God. No human being does anything in perfect order.

“But we are doing everything within our ability and conscience to address the concerns of Nigerians regarding road infrastructure.”

Umahi commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing reinforced concrete technology in road construction.

He said the move would ensure that newly constructed roads lasted between 50 years and 100 years, unlike many older roads that failed within a decade.

He also warned against the dangers of heavy trucks parking on bridges, stressing that bridges were not designed to withstand static loads.

He revealed that serious structural issues had emerged on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos, with Carter Bridge requiring eventual demolition following expert assessments.

He, however, disclosed that temporary measures were being implemented to extend its usability for another three years pending reconstruction.

The minister attributed much of the damage to illegal sand mining activities around bridge foundations.

He explained that many bridge piles relied on steel friction supported by surrounding sand, and illegal sand excavation had compromised their stability.

“He added that in one instance, an illegal miner reportedly struck and removed a bridge pile, prompting the ministry to order prosecution.

He listed other acts of vandalism to include the removal of electrical installations, expansion joints, and reinforced concrete barriers on major highways, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road and the Second Niger Bridge.

Umahi noted that CCTV systems recently installed on the Third Mainland Bridge, on the directive of the President, had aided security agencies in apprehending suspects involved in theft and sabotage.

“It is done all over the world to install protective and relief materials on bridges to reduce pressure. But people remove them to sell as scrap,” he lamented.

He urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure, warning that repeated repairs due to vandalism strained public finances and slow development.

“If we do not protect this infrastructure, repairs will have to be repeated. That is not good for our society.

“The president is toiling day and night to provide these critical projects. We must work together to safeguard them.” (NAN)