Relief for travellers as Fed Govt opens Second Niger Bridge

The Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi, announced that the bridge would be opened only to motorists and other road users from the West to the East through Asaba, the Delta State capital, as from yesterday.

He said only vehicles from the East to the West would be allowed to ply the bridge from January 2 to 15, 2023.

But commuters did not start using the new bridge until 9 a.m yesterday as most people still used the old one.

The Nation reports that the few motorists who plied the bridge on the first day attributed the low traffic to low awareness.

A resident, who identified himself simply as Okey, said many people were not aware of the opening.

“I’m not surprised with the few vehicles I’m seeing because I don’t know how many people that are aware that the bridge has been opened.

“Besides, the fact that not all the lanes are open to traffic is confusing to many,” he said.

Another resident, Emmanuel Nwankwo, said a lot of people thought the opening would take place on Thursday night, instead of Wednesday night.

He described the development as a miscalculation.

According to him, the bridge will witness heavy traffic as from December 20, when the Abia, Imo, Rivers and Akwa Ibom indigenes residing in the Southwest will travel for Christmas and New Year.

Tamuno Fibresima, who was going to Owerri, the Imo State capital, from Asaba through the bridge, told The Nation that those criticising the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could now clap for President Buhari.

“Personally, I thought it as another gimmick to deceive the public. But here we are today. The previous governments could not do it. We thank President Buhari for saving lives and reducing the pains of the people from these areas,” he said.

A trader at Nkpor, a town in Idemili North Local Government area of Anambra State, Mr. Boniface Nwigwe, said the suffering of Ndigbo would gradually reduce with the opening of the bridge.

He said it would be difficult for computers to sleep on the bridge, as usual, during the festivities, adding that only those going to Enugu and part of Anambra would have cause to use the old bridge.

Also, the traffic build-up on the Benin/Onitsha expressway experienced by Southeast-bound travellers during the Yuletide may not abate, despite the opening of Second Niger Bridge to motorists.

The stretch of the dual carriageway leading to the diversion and the old bridge is narrow and uneven, hindering the smooth flow of traffic, especially during rush hour.

The Nation reporter observed that the diversion leading to the Second Niger Bridge near the old bridge did little to reduce the plight of motorists plying the route.

There was a heavy build-up of traffic around 6 a.m yesterday, but by 11 a.m, when the diversion was opened, the traffic eased off.

FRSC officials deployed near the diversion had a hectic time controlling vehicles to the Second Niger Bridge, using the detour.

Although Southeast-bound traffic was light during the evening rush hour around 4 p.m yesterday, it was unclear if it was due to the deployment of FRSC officials or just a lull in vehicular movement.

Heavy duty trucks were prevented from using the new bridge.

Officials of Federal Ministry of Works were seen installing traffic signs on the stretch leading to the diversion and onward to the new bridge.

Delta State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Udeme Essiet, blamed the early morning gridlock on an enlightenment gap.

He said travellers would adjust to the new route.

“Since we started the diversion at 11 a.m, it has been wonderful. The traffic gridlock we had from 6 a.m was greatly reduced. By this time last year, the traffic build-up would have reached Abraka area, a distance of six kilometres. The diversion has really helped.

“For anyone passing through this diversion – whether going to Akwa Ibom State, Owerri, Aba, Abakaliki, or Port Harcourt, if they care to use this diversion – they will have a pleasurable experience,” Essiet said.