Posted by By Austin Ogwuda on
PROJECT Manager of SETRACO Construction Company handling the rehabilitation work on the Niger Bridge, Mr. Jay Jay Cosme says the bridge was badly vandalized with a total of 1,680 pieces of iron bars, numerous bolts and nuts found missing before they moved in.
ASABA - PROJECT Manager of SETRACO Construction Company handling the rehabilitation work on the Niger Bridge, Mr. Jay Jay Cosme says the bridge was badly vandalized with a total of 1,680 pieces of iron bars, numerous bolts and nuts found missing before they moved in.
When this reporter went to see extent of work on the bridge yesterday, there was evidence that work had commenced in earnest, while men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were on hand to ensure free flow of traffic. Also a ferry was found stationed at the Asaba end of the bridge.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Asaba yesterday, Setraco's project Manager said the company had decided to introduce the method of welding all the bolts and nuts together "to avoid future vandalization."
He also promised that the company was working assiduously day and night to complete the job four months ahead of the expected one-year deadline, which it was given by the Federal Government.
According to him, "the vandalisation was massive. We found brazing bars, that is, iron bars. They (vandals) removed 1,680 pieces of the bars which we (Setraco) have already replaced. They removed the nuts and they removed the bars and we have replaced the bolts and the nuts. We welded all the bolts and nuts to avoid future vandalization.
"Infact, the bridge was seriously damaged. This is metallic bridge and if you start to remove the metals, the bolts and nuts, of course you are putting the bridge in damage."
When this reporter visited the bridge yesterday morning, work was ongoing on the sides and under.
The Project Manager however explained that the ferry barge was not meant for motorists saying, "for the period that the bridge is closed (11pm to 4am from June 29 to September 30), if there is a national emergency, we are going to use the barge for the transport of police or troops. It is just for national security issues not public use", he emphasized.