Mr. Uchenna Nebuwa, National President of the Heavy Duty Drivers Association, said that the second Niger Bridge has witnessed a decline in traffic from both his association’s members and other drivers, citing concerns pertaining to security.
On Thursday, in Onitsha, Mr. Nebuwa informed the newsmen that criminal elements have taken control of the route, particularly the Obosi-Owerri axis of the road.
His statement reveals that the bridge has become a hotbed for the operations of hoodlums, armed robbers, and kidnappers.
‘Drivers are afraid because there is no adequate security on the second Niger bridge, Federal Government should provide security to secure lives and property.’
‘Another worrisome one is the failed portions of Obosi-Owerri road, as our trucks fall on the road on daily basis, we have lost over N20 billion worth of vehicles and goods on that road.’
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‘We are begging Federal Government to help us fix the failed portions of Obosi-Owerri road as this will encourage drivers to be using the second Niger bridge’, he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Chukwuemeka Olekpe, the Chairman of the Great Tippers Association of Nigeria, Anambra Chapter, voiced apprehension regarding the security situation, affirming that armed robbers and kidnappers have instilled fear among their members, deterring them from trailing the bridge.
Sharing his perspective, Paul Osakwe, a commercial bus driver who frequently commutes on the Asaba-Owerri road, highlighted that drivers steer clear of the bridge as it has become desolate and fraught with security concerns.
The bridge is not secure, it’s too lonely, you can’t even try to use it at night, even you inside the bus will be scared, the government should at least install a light on the bridge, maybe that will help’, he said.
Mr. Seyi Martins, who holds the position of Engineer overseeing the bridge, linked the bridge’s decreased usage to the security challenges in the South-Eastern region. He emphasised that their primary focus was to construct the bridge and alleviate traffic concerns.
It is noteworthy that Mr. Mahmuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, made a plea to security agencies on Monday, urging them to enhance security in the vicinity of the second Niger bridge after inspecting the vandalized portion.