April 5, 2010
After the commissioning of the Niger Bridge in 1965, my father hired a taxi to take us to see the wonder of human hands. It was a wonder and a sight to behold. It was a tourist attraction then. I remember we saw few vehicles plying to and fro the imposing edifice that night. In those days when a vehicle goes through, it will take about 30 minutes for you to see another vehicle going the same route.
Today, 45 years after, things have changed. Today, about 100 vehicles move in opposite directions in one minute on that bridge.
In the past 10 years there have been cries from concerned Nigerians that the 45 years old bridge is going down due to heavy traffic. I am sure the wonderful designers of this bridge never envisaged that the bridge would be loaded with cars and heavy-duty vehicles in four lanes from the beginning to the end for several hours. This ugly situation has been like this in the 10 years. Alarms have been raised severally, challenges have been directed to the appropriate quarters, petitions have been written to the authorities concerned but all to no avail. I traveled to the East on Friday April 2 2010 and as usual during festive seasons I joined the traffic to the bridge from Asaba, Delta State. After several hours we got to the bridge. The traffic was under control because the Road Safety personnel were on duty making it difficult if not impossible for commuters to make four lanes on the bridge. They did a fantastic job in Ore, Benin and on Niger Bridge and they deserve our commendations for the job well done.
However, we returned to Asaba on Saturday to get a wife on for one of the younger sons of the Igbokwes. Going to Asaba was a big problem and coming into Onitsha was a Herculean task. Even with the presence of Security and Road Safety personnels, it was extremely difficult to make headway. After the ceremonies in Asaba, we left for Nnewi at about 8.30pm. It took us two hours to get to the bridge, and this time Road Safety people were no where to be found. Commuters formed four lanes on the bridge from the beginning to the end. We were almost standstill on the bridge for close to an hour and we became apprehensive. I could feel the weight on the bridge. I heard the vibrations as a Mechanical Engineer. You could hear the noise of metals touching each other as vehicles move. I feared that the bridge might collapse and I wondered what would happen to all the commuters on the bridge and all the vehicles. I have seen bridges collapsed in the United States and in China recently and the materials and human costs were unprecedented. We must not wait any longer. Something must be done today to begin the process of nipping the problem in the bud.
Two years ago, I wrote that Niger Bridge is not an Igbo property. Nobody is doing Igbo an additional favour if a second bridge is built today. Thinking people must not allow things to get out of hand before they act. People have cried out on top of mountains and roof tops for a second Niger Bridge but the powers that be thinks it is an Igbo problem. If this bridge collapses today, not only Nigerians will feel the impact, Africa especially West African countries will feel the effect. The bridge is a social, political and economic imperative.
But a people rejected cannot reject himself or herself. Time has come for the South East and South South Governors to take the bull by the horns. Now, if I may ask: how much will it really cost to build the second Niger Bridge? N10 billion, N15 billion , 20 billion Naira? I think South East Governors can handle this. And if the South South join hands it will be much easier. Call a meeting today and let the process begin. Do not wait for Nigerians to die and businesses stalled before action is taken. Prevention is better than cure.
Joe Igbokwe
Lagos
Today, 45 years after, things have changed. Today, about 100 vehicles move in opposite directions in one minute on that bridge.
In the past 10 years there have been cries from concerned Nigerians that the 45 years old bridge is going down due to heavy traffic. I am sure the wonderful designers of this bridge never envisaged that the bridge would be loaded with cars and heavy-duty vehicles in four lanes from the beginning to the end for several hours. This ugly situation has been like this in the 10 years. Alarms have been raised severally, challenges have been directed to the appropriate quarters, petitions have been written to the authorities concerned but all to no avail. I traveled to the East on Friday April 2 2010 and as usual during festive seasons I joined the traffic to the bridge from Asaba, Delta State. After several hours we got to the bridge. The traffic was under control because the Road Safety personnel were on duty making it difficult if not impossible for commuters to make four lanes on the bridge. They did a fantastic job in Ore, Benin and on Niger Bridge and they deserve our commendations for the job well done.
However, we returned to Asaba on Saturday to get a wife on for one of the younger sons of the Igbokwes. Going to Asaba was a big problem and coming into Onitsha was a Herculean task. Even with the presence of Security and Road Safety personnels, it was extremely difficult to make headway. After the ceremonies in Asaba, we left for Nnewi at about 8.30pm. It took us two hours to get to the bridge, and this time Road Safety people were no where to be found. Commuters formed four lanes on the bridge from the beginning to the end. We were almost standstill on the bridge for close to an hour and we became apprehensive. I could feel the weight on the bridge. I heard the vibrations as a Mechanical Engineer. You could hear the noise of metals touching each other as vehicles move. I feared that the bridge might collapse and I wondered what would happen to all the commuters on the bridge and all the vehicles. I have seen bridges collapsed in the United States and in China recently and the materials and human costs were unprecedented. We must not wait any longer. Something must be done today to begin the process of nipping the problem in the bud.
Two years ago, I wrote that Niger Bridge is not an Igbo property. Nobody is doing Igbo an additional favour if a second bridge is built today. Thinking people must not allow things to get out of hand before they act. People have cried out on top of mountains and roof tops for a second Niger Bridge but the powers that be thinks it is an Igbo problem. If this bridge collapses today, not only Nigerians will feel the impact, Africa especially West African countries will feel the effect. The bridge is a social, political and economic imperative.
But a people rejected cannot reject himself or herself. Time has come for the South East and South South Governors to take the bull by the horns. Now, if I may ask: how much will it really cost to build the second Niger Bridge? N10 billion, N15 billion , 20 billion Naira? I think South East Governors can handle this. And if the South South join hands it will be much easier. Call a meeting today and let the process begin. Do not wait for Nigerians to die and businesses stalled before action is taken. Prevention is better than cure.
Joe Igbokwe
Lagos
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