ANAMBRA AND DELTA STATES COOPERATE TO ENFORCE BAN ON INTER-STATE MOVEMENT

Anambra and Delta State Governments have reached an agreement for the total closure of Bridgehead, Onitsha against non-essential service providers in line with the current national lockdown.

The Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, announced this while briefing journalists shortly after a meeting with his Delta State counterpart, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, at the foot of the bridge.

Professor Chukwulobelu, who noted that both parties agreed to shift their processing points of passage backwards for easy identification of persons on essential duties, said the two states would be swapping personnel for effective service delivery.

He stated that a movable iron barrier had been erected at the Onitsha end of the bridge by government to ward off vehicles forcing to cross over to neighbouring states.

Professor Chukwulobelu hinted that the Governor Willie Obiano led administration was working with Enugu State to ensure strict compliance with the ban on movements at their boundaries.

His Delta State Counterpart, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, while explaining that the two states had a good working relationship, gave an assurance that both parties would continue to synergize to ensure effective traffic control on the bridge.

Mr. Ebie pleaded with people who had no business across Delta State to restrict themselves to their areas as the ban on interstate movement was still in force.

One of the contractors of the firm handling the Second Niger Bridge project, who was also part of the meeting, Mr. Fredrick Whizer, noted that the Federal Comptroller of Works had already written a letter where they expressed concern over the integrity of the existing Niger Bridge as a result of accumulation of heavy traffic on it.

The two SSGs jointly checked a few vehicles to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocol while the Commissioner of Police of both states were present during the meeting.

ONYINYE CHIJIOBI