Motorists have expressed their excitement following the temporary opening of the second Niger Bridge by the Federal Government on Thursday.
The government opened the bridge for temporary use for commuters coming from the West to the South-East through Asaba from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023.
However, traders who sell goods in the traffic greeted the development with mixed feeling. They complained that the new bridge will not allow them to sell their wares in traffic on the bridge, especially in the festive period.
According to The PUNCH, it was observed that vehicles were plying it from Asaba to Onitsha, without any hitch.
The Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said the temporary opening of the second Niger Bridge was to decongest traffic from the old bridge during the Yuletide
To protect the lives and property of those using the bridge on Thursday, there was a significant security presence there.
The Chairman of the Great Tippers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Chukwuebuka Unekwe, expressed excitement that the bridge would lead to the free flow of traffic, at the Onitsha-Owerri road as smaller vehicles will now be reduced on that axis.
Unekwe said, “Although our trucks are not allowed to ply the road during this temporary opening, it is a relief to us because those smaller vehicles will now make use of that place, thereby reducing the number of vehicles at the old River Niger Bridge.
“I have been at the bridge, it is very smooth and vehicles were moving very fast but I will advise they should not be deceived by the road and start speeding, thereby endangering their lives.”
One of the road users, who identified himself as Mathew Okafor, said the opening of the second Niger Bridge is a big relief to travellers, especially this Christmas period.
According to him, “If one does not have any business in Onitsha, Nkpor and others, he will ply the Second Niger Bridge to avoid the stress of passing the Onitsha Bridge head.”
Another road user, Ifeanyi Uche, described the new bridge as a blessing to the South East and it is a welcome development.
He added that the stress people endure on the Onitsha Bridge was excessive, noting that due to the stress on the bridge, many individuals rarely return home for Christmas.
The Secretary of Electronic Dealers Market, Onitsha, Damian Ogudike, said the opening of the new bridge was a good development.
He stated that the new bridge would alleviate the stress at the Asaba, Delta State bridgehead.
“Honestly, the immediate benefit is the easing of stress people pass through to cross the old bridge head. I think this is a good one and kudos to the Federal Government,” he said.
