AFTER years of what seemed to be complete abandonment or change of heart on the part of the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu few days ago flagged-off the construction of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge, linking Delta/Anambra States in what is commonly known as Phase 2A of the entire bridge construction contract. This is indeed, a welcome development.
The government’s gesture, no doubts stands as a renewal of hope on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. In a remark, the President, represented by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, described the access road as critical for trade and commerce.
On his part, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, explained that the 17.5 km bypasses would ensure the free flow of traffic in Asaba and beyond. He added that compensation would be paid by both the federal and state governments, disclosing further that 30 per cent of payments to property owners affected by the access road had already been approved and released by the Federal Government.
Indeed, beyond being critical for trade and commerce, the completion of the second Niger Bridge presents grounds to prove that the alleged neglect of the South East geopolitical zone in infrastructural provisions over the years is gradually being addressed by the federal authorities.
To begin with, it was becoming dangerous seeing the heavy vehicular pressure put on the first bridge, which, until recently, acted as the only link between the south east and other parts of Nigeria, especially the South-South and South West. The vehicular population on the roads leading to Onitsha and other parts of the former eastern state area is not unexpected, given the fact that Onitsha is the largest market in West Africa.
Apart from these, the people of the area are known for their economic activities participation in the country through trade and commerce.
Companies and individuals that hitherto suffered loss of man hours due to traffic gridlock often experienced on Benin/Onitsha express road will definitely breathe a sigh of relief just like other commuters that throng the area to and from cities like Lagos and Ibadan.
Since the access road would commence at the Issele-Azagba axis of the DeltaState capital territory, it will equally go a long way in reducing the traffic congestion on the present route to the South East. The road traffic congestion had always led to pressure-induced potholes that had in turn caused many avoidable accidents on the road by many road users in the past years.
However, good as this government effort towards alleviating the sufferings of road users may be, further plans must be put in place to ensure continued maintenance of the road. Budgetary allocations for such minor repairs when the need arise must be adequate for the Federal Road maintenance Agency (FERMA) to carry out its yearly obligations to Nigerians.
The usual security lapses normally associated with Nigerian government facilities became obvious soon after the commissioning of the first phase of the bridge construction. A large chunk of the protective metal rays on the facility have since been carted away by vandals. It is therefore imperative for adequate security involving the use patrols by men of the Nigeria police and use of devices such as drones and Circuit Cameras Television, CCTV to monitor human activities on the bridge.
Those caught in the act of vandalizing equipment on the road must be apprehended and brought to book to serve as deterrent for intending criminals along that line.
Above all, the federal government and all relevant authorities involved in orientation must engage more with road users on proper conducts expected of all, especially commercial motor drivers. In this way, we believe that the road will be used so properly that its guaranteed life span becomes basis for determining the future of government assets.
