Some unidentified vandals have carted away some road fittings on the new Second Niger Bridge, barely some months after it was opened to road users.

Punch newspaper reported that a source in the Ministry of Works confirmed the incident, stating that the extension joint walkway on the bridge’s axis 330 had been stolen.

The source said, “Unfortunately, It’s true. The stolen fitting is an element from the expansion joints of the bridge. Drivers on that road have to be careful as the damaged part can cause discomfort to motorists.”

The Federal Government opened the Second Niger Bridge on December 15, 2022 to reduce traffic congestion in the South-East during the holiday season.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 electoral campaign by National Party of Nigeria candidate Shehu Shagari.

The 1.6 kilometres long bridge linking Anambra and Delta states was constructed by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to decongest traffic on the existing Niger Bridge, boost economic activities, and connect the South-East with the rest of the country.

The project was financed through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) created by President Muhammadu Buhari and managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

PIDF is also used to fund the construction of Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Road.