The national president of the Heavy Duty Drivers Association, Uchenna Nebuwa, says members of the association and other drivers no longer use the second Niger Bridge due to security concerns.

Mr Nebuwa stated on Thursday in Onitsha that criminals had taken over the route, including the Obosi-Owerri axis of the road. According to him, hoodlums, armed robbers and kidnappers now operate along the bridge.

“Drivers are afraid because there is no adequate security on the second Niger Bridge. The 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 a daily basis,” Mr Nebuwa explained. “We have lost over N20 billion worth of vehicles and goods on that road.

He added, ”We are begging the 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.”

The chairman of the Great Tippers Association of Nigeria in Anambra, Chukwuemeka Olekpe, expressed concern about the insecurity, saying armed robbers and kidnappers scared them away from using the bridge.

On his part, a commercial bus driver, Paul Osakwe, who plies Asaba-Owerri road, said, “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.”

Seyi Martins, the engineer in charge of the bridge, attributed its low usage to the insecurity plaguing the South-East, adding that their mandate is to construct the bridge and open it to ease traffic.

Federal works ministry permanent secretary Mahmuda Mamman had while inspecting the vandalised part of the bridge on Monday, urged security agencies to keep criminals away from the bridge and surrounding areas.

(NAN)