Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the CCTV’s on the third mainland bridge helped police officers apprehend vandals who damage sensitive installations.
Umahi, who raised fresh concerns over the growing vandalism of federal road infrastructure across the country, warned that the destruction is threatening major government investments in the sector.
Speaking on recent incidents, Umahi revealed that individuals were caught removing reflective electrical safety devices from the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for the second time in two weeks. He also lamented the destruction of concrete barriers along the Abuja–Kano highway, describing the acts as sabotage driven by tiny rewards at the expense of national development.
He further disclosed that vandals have been destroying protective fences along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and stealing green band wires installed for beautification.
Umahi added that recent flooding observed on sections of the road was largely caused by underground drainage channels blocked by refuse, compounding infrastructure challenges.
He questioned the durability of past road construction methods, stating that many previously built roads failed to last a decade.
According to him, this challenge informed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to introduce reinforced concrete technology for major highway projects.
Umahi said the new construction approach is designed to ensure roads built under the current administration will last between 50 and 100 years, significantly reducing the cycle of reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The minister called on Nigerians to protect public assets, stressing that sustainable infrastructure development requires collective responsibility and civic discipline to safeguard projects funded with public resources.
