FG Raises Alarm Over Vandalisation Of Bridges, Warns Of Looming Infrastructure Crisis

FG raises alarm over vandalisation of bridges, warns of looming infrastructure crisis. The Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has raised serious concerns over the increasing vandalisation of Nigeria’s road and bridge infrastructure, warning that the trend poses significant threats to public safety and national development.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi described the deliberate removal of critical bridge and highway components as a direct assault on national assets. He revealed that vandals have been targeting expansion joints, steel reinforcements and other vital structural elements on major bridges, including the Niger Bridge and the Cumberland Bridge, often stripping and selling them as scrap.

According to the Minister, many of the affected bridges were originally designed with a lifespan of about 30 years and built to accommodate specific load capacities. However, he noted that persistent vandalism, coupled with excessive loading by heavy-duty trucks, has severely compromised their structural integrity.

Umahi also expressed concern over the illegal encroachment on designated right-of-way areas along federal highways. He explained that some road corridors have a 12-metre right-of-way, yet individuals continue to erect structures within these restricted zones, thereby obstructing ongoing construction and maintenance works.

While reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to delivering projects within available budgetary provisions, the Minister stressed that safeguarding completed infrastructure must be a shared responsibility.

He disclosed that the Ministry has begun deploying protective technologies on select bridges to deter vandalism and assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending offenders.

Citing a recent incident, Umahi said security operatives arrested individuals who removed critical components from the Cumberland Bridge, noting that such acts are becoming widespread across the country.

Umahi

“These bridges were not designed for the kind of stress they are currently subjected to,” he said. “When you combine excessive loading with deliberate removal of structural parts, you are creating a dangerous situation.”

He warned that continued destruction of road infrastructure would result in escalating repair costs, transportation disruptions and potential loss of lives.
“No government can deliver infrastructure in perfect order if the same infrastructure is being destroyed,” Umahi added.

“We are doing our best within our capacity and budget, but Nigerians must support efforts to preserve these assets. Our infrastructure belongs to all of us. If we fail to protect it, we will all bear the consequences.”

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to maintain and rehabilitate critical road networks nationwide, while urging citizens to desist from actions that undermine national development

Free Prepaid Meters: BEDC Warns Customers Against Payment

Free prepaid meters: BEDC warns customers against payment. Mr Lawani said the company was expecting a total of 161,000 meters under the programme.

Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has received 75,000 electricity meters from the federal government under the ongoing free metering programme, with installation already underway across its franchise states.

The managing director of BEDC Plc, Jonathan Lawani, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Benin on Thursday.

Mr Lawani said the company was expecting a total of 161,000 meters under the programme, covering its four franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

He explained that Edo State had been allocated over 38,000 meters, distributed across BEDC’s three operational regions in the state which include Benin, Uromi and Auchi.
“We have received 75,000 meters for BEDC for the four states of Ondo, Edo, Delta and Ekiti.

“The programme will deliver 161,000 meters for BEDC. Edo State alone has been allocated over 38,000 meters.

“Out of the four states we serve, we allocated 38,000 to the three regions in Edo State, and installation is ongoing,” Mr Lawani said.
He cautioned customers against paying for the meters or installation, stressing that they are provided free of charge under the federal government initiative.

Mr Lawani also raised concern that some customers were rejecting the meters based on the misconception that metering increases electricity consumption.

The BEDC boss urged residents to report any illegal charges or irregularities and warned against electricity theft, noting that offenders would be sanctioned.

Free Prepaid Meters

In his remarks, the Edo commissioner for power, Paul Usenbor, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving electricity supply and establishing a meter assembly plant in the state.
Mr Usenbor said Governor Monday Okpebholo had prioritised the provision of reliable, round-the-clock power supply across Edo.

He noted that the stakeholders’ engagement reflected a strong commitment to infrastructure development, improved service delivery, standardised metering and faster response to customer complaints.

“The long-term goal is to ensure better power supply for citizens and public institutions.

“The long-term plan also involves increased participation of private sector partners in the state.
“His Excellency has mandated that a meter assembly plant will be set up in Edo State,” Mr Usenbor said.

BOI Disburses N636bn To 7,000 Businesses In 2025, Highest Annual Disbursement In Its History

BOI disburses N636bn to 7,000 businesses in 2025, highest annual disbursement in its history. The Bank of Industry (BOI) says it disbursed a record N636 billion to businesses across Nigeria in 2025 — the highest annual financing volume in its history.

In its 2025 impact report on Wednesday, the development finance institution said the funds were deployed to over 7,000 businesses operating in manufacturing, agribusiness, micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), infrastructure, power, ICT and the creative sector.

President Bola Tinubu has commended the bank for the milestone, describing it as evidence that ongoing macroeconomic reforms are strengthening development finance and expanding access to long-term capital.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu said the performance reflects reform-driven credibility and institutional discipline.

“The N636 billion disbursed by the Bank of Industry in 2025 translates directly into productive capacity across Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
“At a time of global financing constraints, Nigeria expanded access to long-term capital for its businesses. That is a direct outcome of reform, credibility and institutional discipline.”

BOI said the milestone reflects its transition “from strategy to scale” under its 2025–2027 transformation agenda, which prioritised balance sheet strengthening, access to long-term capital, operational efficiency and financing aligned with national economic and industrial priorities.

The bank said the performance was achieved despite global macroeconomic pressures that widened financing gaps and increased strain on development finance institutions.

BOI added that demand for its funding rose during the year due to relatively cheaper and longer-tenured financing.

According to the report, sectoral allocations included N202 billion to agro-allied enterprises, N100 billion to infrastructure, N79 billion to manufacturing, N77 billion to extractive industries, and N55 billion to services.
The disbursements were partly supported by a €2 billion syndicated facility secured at the end of 2024, the federal government’s N200 billion MSME loans and grants scheme, and an additional €210 million mobilised in 2025 from international partners.

BOI also deployed N73 billion in managed and matching funds on behalf of states and institutional partners. The bank maintained asset quality during the period, recording a non-performing loan ratio of less than 1.5 percent.

Under the federal government’s N200 billion intervention programme, BOI said it achieved over 95 percent performance as the disbursing entity, while the presidential conditional grant scheme reached 957,400 beneficiaries in 2025.

A breakdown of disbursements by business size shows N51 billion went to nano enterprises, N32 billion to micro businesses, N178 billion to SMEs, and N375 billion to large enterprises.

BOI said its interventions led to the creation and retention of 1.6 million jobs, supported over 7,000 new MSMEs and 570 startups.

BOI Disburses N636bn To 7,000 Businesses In 2025, Highest Annual Disbursement In Its History

“Inclusive finance remained a priority, the bank said, highlighting its N10 billion Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW) programme, which provides up to N50 million in affordable financing per beneficiary. Youth-owned enterprises received N12 billion in funding, while the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development (RAPID) supported 880 rural enterprises with over N6.5 billion across the 36 states and the FCT,” the bank added.

The financial institution said strategic interventions during the year included upgrading a tomato processing facility from 3.1 metric tonnes to 10 metric tonnes per hour, linking 47,508 smallholder farmers to processing facilities, and deploying 100 mini-grids in partnership with development finance institutions (DFIs), connecting 11,777 new customers to electricity.
It added that N100 billion was disbursed to critical national infrastructure spanning broadband, power, aviation and transportation, while BOI-financed projects contributed to an estimated annual reduction of over 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

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“Through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, the bank said it prepared 500 founders for investment, funded 100 tech ventures, and trained 400 youths through innovation programmes. The initiative targets over 300,000 Nigerians,” BOI said.
‘MILESTONE ALIGNS WITH FG’S DRIVE FOR INDUSTRIALISATION

Commenting on the performance, Olasupo Olusi, BOI’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO), said the milestone aligns with the federal government’s vision to drive industrialisation and inclusive growth.

“Achieving over N600 billion in loan disbursements to our customers in 2025 is a significant milestone for the Bank of Industry, which aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive industrialisation, economic diversification, and inclusive growth across Nigeria,” Olusi said.

“Beyond this milestone, our performance this year demonstrates BoI’s continued commitment to supporting enterprises, creating jobs, and strengthening the nation’s industrial base.”

BOI also said it strengthened its institutional standing in 2025, becoming Nigeria’s first national implementing entity to the United Nations Adaptation Fund and the first development finance institution in the country to achieve privacy information management system certification.

The bank added that it received multiple recognitions during the year, including Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Nigeria 2025, Best Company in Financial Inclusion, and Best Company in Infrastructure Development at the SERAS awards.

Bank of Industry

BOI