The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed that pictures of President Bola Tinubu be used to decorate the First Niger Bridge as a sign of appreciation for the ongoing repairs on the facility.
Umahi gave this order on Wednesday while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Onitsha end of the bridge, which connects Anambra and Delta states.
He asked the Senior Special Assistants to the President for the South-East and South-South to take charge of beautifying the bridge with the president’s photos.
Umahi also ordered the removal of all unauthorized banners and advertisements on the bridge and anyone who wants to place an advert on the facility must first get official approval from the Ministry of Works.
“The South-South and South-East SSAs to Mr. President have to fertilize the bridge. They’ll beautify, they’ll colour it with the President’s pictures,” Umahi said during the inspection.
He added that the President deserves the appreciation because of his quick intervention and the high quality of work currently happening at the site.
The minister announced that more solar-powered streetlights will be installed on the bridge. He also directed contractors to quickly finish installing CCTV cameras and link them to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi has also set up a technical committee to thoroughly assess the structural condition of the bridge, both above and below the water level. The team was given until Thursday to submit its findings.
For now, the First Niger Bridge will be closed for major repairs after vandals destroyed some of its key structural components. The facility will remain completely shut to traffic until all rehabilitation works are finished and certified safe for public use.
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