Some residents of the South-Eastern part of Nigeria have commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for making the second Niger Bridge a reality.
A resident of Anambra State, Chukwuma Eruchalu commended the current administration for making it a “dream come true”.
Mr Eruchalu pointed out that the overwhelming economic importance of the second Niger Bridge was very obvious, explaining that the traffic gridlock witnessed on the old bridge had been affecting the socio-economic growth of the South-East zone.
Another resident of the region, Chibuzo Chiezey, who lives in Asaba but visits Anambra state on daily basis, said his journey was now “so smooth”.
He recounted that the first Niger bridge was constructed about 60 years ago, and that the second one should have been delivered so many years back, considering the rate of development in the area.
On his part, Chukwuka Ilodi said the only congestion being experienced now is at the entrance of the road that leads to the Second Niger Bridge, known as Tipper Garage junction, which he attributed to uniformed men, checkpoints and revenue collectors.
Yet another Resident and Pharmacist, Ify Onochie, described the second Niger Bridge as a “long-awaited miracle”.
She expressed pleasure that the bridge would ease traffic for commuters and reduce congestion on the first one this Christmas season.
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.
The existing bridge could no longer cope with the volume of daily traffic as sometimes, motorists had to spend the night on top of the bridge due to traffic gridlock.
The length of the bridge is 1.63 kilometres, 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 kilometres.
The bridge is 95% ready.
RN
