The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has donated one speed boat to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), urging the Corps to safeguard federal bridges and vital public infrastructure.

The donation was immediately followed by the formal launch of the speedboat and the inauguration of a specialised unit by the NSCDC Commandant in Lagos. 

The NSCDC Lagos State Command, led by Commandant Keshinro Adedotun, on Friday, implemented the directive of the Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, by commissioning the new asset and establishing the Marine and Infrastructure Protection Unit.

He said the initiative aligns with resolutions from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and collaboration efforts with stakeholders like the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) to protect Critical National Infrastructure.

Assistant Commandant of Corps, Oloyede Emmanuel Ige, was inaugurated as the Commander of the new Marine and Infrastructure Protection Unit.

Adedotun highlighted that the speed boat would be used to monitor the marine corridor in Lagos, which is crucial for protecting the integrity of the Third Mainland Bridge and other federal bridges.

The newly inaugurated unit will focus on combating key threats such as vandalism, illegal dredging, excavation and encroachment under the bridges.

The commandant stressed that illegal and unauthorised dredging frequently contributes to bridge collapse, which can severely cripple the state and national economy.

While addressing newsmen at the launching ceremony, Adedotun charged licensed dredgers to maintain strict compliance with the law, warning unrepentant perpetrators involved in illegal dredging and encroachment to desist or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.