ANAMBRA MOTORISTS HAPPY AS FG PARTIALLY OPENS 2ND NIGER BRIDGE
REPORTER: OBY ARINZE
Some residents of South Eastern part of Nigeria have commended President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for making the second Niger Bridge a reality.
Some of them, who spoke with Radio Nigeria in Onitsha, said this year’s Christmas would be stress free as the opening of the bridge would ease the heavy traffic congestion being experienced at the first Niger bridge over the years.
The construction of the Second Niger Bridge commenced on 1st September, 2018.
The bridge is meant to complement the existing one constructed in 1965, before the Civil war.
Over the years, it was discovered that the existing bridge could no longer cope with the volume of traffic on daily basis as sometimes, motorists had to spend the night on top of the bridge due to gridlock.
The past administration also performed the ground breaking ceremony of the second Niger bridge at the twilight of its administration, but much work was not done before the handover.
So, when President Muhammadu Buhari announced that his administration would construct the new bridge, many people did not believe him, considering that it had previously being used as a political gimmick.
Those who spoke to Radio Nigeria noted that the multi-billion naira project had finally brought relief to the people of the South East and those traveling to South-South and South Western parts of the country.
Speaking on the recent temporary opening of the new facility, a resident of Anambra State, Mr. Chukwuma Eruchalu, commended the current administration for making it a dream come through.
Mr. Eruchalu pointed out that the overwhelming economic importance of the second Niger Bridge was very obvious, explaining that the gridlock witnessed on the old bridge had been affecting the socio- economic growth of the South East zone.
Mr. Chibuzo Chiezey, who resides in Asaba but comes to Anambra state on daily basis, explained that his journey had become smooth.
Another Rose user, Mr. Chukwuka Ilodi, however, pointed out that the only congestion being experienced now was at the entrance of the road that leads to the Second Niger Bridge known as Tipper Garage junction, which he attributed to uniformed men, check points and revenue collectors.
Yet another resident and Pharmacist, Ify Onochie, described the second Niger Bridge as a long awaited miracle.
She pointed out that the bridge would ease traffic for commuters and reduce congestion on the first bridge this Christmas season.
The length of the bridge is 1.63 kilometers, while the adjoining roads from Oko Amakom in Delta State to the bridge and from the Onitsha end of the bridge to Obosi interchange brought it to about 12 kilometers.
The bridge is 95% ready.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
