According to road users, completing the project will ease vehicle movements in the Niger Delta area during the festive season.
Road users have urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to complete the Second Niger Bridge project, which was opened on Thursday.
According to road users, completing the project will ease vehicle movements in the Niger Delta area during the festive season.
The Second Niger bridge is a Federal Government project that is 1.6 km long and furnished with other ancillary infrastructure including a 10.3 km highway, Owerri interchange and a toll station.
The government ordered the opening of the bridge for use starting from midnight on Thursday (today).
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), announced the opening of the bridge for use for one month, to last the Yuletide season.
Fashola, who took a walk around the bridge during an inspection, advised road users plying the bridge to drive safely and responsibly in order not to defeat the purpose of its construction.
He said, “A lot of people have talked about a solution, but the President Muhammadu Buhari administration decided to build the bridge, whatever it took. So, wherever the funds came from—investment, income from our oil assets, repatriation of some funds that were stolen out of Nigeria—they came in from the US.
“The result is now what we see when people are talking about poverty; the biggest part of it is not monetary poverty; it is multidimensional poverty.”
“Let me be clear again; we haven’t finished construction work on the bridge, but we would open it for people to use to relieve the pressure from the one bridge. On January 15, 2023, we would reverse that movement for those coming from the east to the west,” he added.
Even though motorists applauded the government’s execution of the bridge project, they pleaded with the Buhari government to ensure his government did not abandon it uncompleted like its predecessors.
For Instance, a private car driver, Obinna Eze who spoke to journalists while plying the bridge said, “It is a thing of joy. Today, it is a reality. Though it is not 100% complete but so far what we are seeing is impressive. We commend the present administration and we hope they complete it based on the time frame they have given.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had reported that Nigeria's road safety agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), issued a traffic advisory ahead of the opening of the bridge today.
The Sector Commander of FRSC, Anambra State Command, Corps Commander Adeoye A Irelewuyi in a statement disclosed that from December 15, 2022, to January 1, 2023, the new bridge will be open to motorists and other road users coming from the West to the East through Asaba.
Irelewuyi further noted that from January 2 to 15, 2023, only vehicles moving from the East to the West will be allowed to use the new bridge.
“Members of the public are also informed that heavy-duty trucks and trailers will not be allowed to use the new bridge during this period.
“The general public and road users are with this development, advised to cooperate with all traffic Managers to ensure the free flow of traffic during this period.
“FRSC Anambra is collaborating with all relevant agencies to ensure that the gridlock usually experienced at the bridge around this time of the year is completely eradicated.
“We also appeal to all road users to avoid overspeeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” the FRSC boss said.
https://twitter.com/Naija_PR/
https://twitter.com/