Works minister describes destruction of public infrastructure as “devilish” and “wicked” as Lagos repairs begin on Eko, Marine bridges.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has condemned the vandalism of road infrastructure across Nigeria, describing the destruction of public assets as devilish, wicked and unacceptable.
Umahi spoke on Sunday during a press conference and stakeholders’ engagement on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos, where he also flagged off repair works on the Eko Bridge and Marine Bridge.
The minister urged Nigerians to join the government in protecting public infrastructure, stressing that the President, ministers and governors could not be everywhere to monitor national assets.
He said the efforts being used to destroy public infrastructure could instead be channelled into productive work that would benefit individuals and the country.
“It’s devilish, it’s wickedness, and it’s unacceptable. The President cannot be everywhere; he is not a spirit. The minister cannot be everywhere; governors cannot be everywhere, so we have to come together to protect our national assets,” Umahi said.
His comments followed the recent vandalism of sections of the newly constructed Festac-Alakija Bridge in Lagos, where suspected scavengers reportedly attempted to remove embedded iron rods and other metal components.
The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspects in connection with the incident following a joint operation by security and enforcement agencies.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the affected sections alongside engineers and contractors on Saturday, said the bridge remained structurally sound and safe for motorists.
He also ordered immediate reinforcement and repairs, while warning that those involved in the vandalism and buyers of stolen government property would face the law.
Umahi also expressed concern over illegal activities along sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, including the removal of construction materials, destruction of fences and unauthorised occupation of the project corridor.
“We have had very terrible, unpatriotic elements removing the blocks, breaking the fence, removing the rods and treading on the highway. This must stop,” he said.
The minister directed the Works Controller in Lagos to prevent motorcycles, tricycles, hawkers and other unauthorised activities from operating along the coastal highway.
He also called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to strengthen the protection of strategic national infrastructure.
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works had opened its ongoing projects to scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 750-kilometre, 10-lane highway being developed to connect Lagos with Cross River through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.
The project is being constructed by Hitech Construction Company Limited under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works.
The Federal Government has described the coastal highway as a major infrastructure project expected to improve transportation, ease pressure on existing road networks and unlock economic opportunities along Nigeria’s coastal corridor.