Emma Elekwa
Residents, commuters lament impassable alternative route From Elekwachi Chinedum, Onitsha Residents of Asaba, Delta state doing business in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State and those residents in Onitsha but transacting business in Asaba have decried difficultly they would face following two weeks closure of the bridge.
According to them, the deplorable condition of Owerri road, which is one of the alternative routes into the commercial city of Anambra State would subject them to untold hardship traveling to and fro both ends of the states.
“Those of us residing in towns like Obosi, Oba, Nkpor and Oraifite have for over the years been complaining about the impassable condition of Owerri road, particularly from Upper Iweka to Metallurgical Training Institute, MTI, Obosi and Electrical Market Obosi, which has become death trap.
“We’ve severally drawn attention of state governments to the dual carriage road that has been turned to single lane road littered with deep potholes that constantly lead to falling of articulated vehicles and loss of lives.
“We only hope that authorities concerned will dismantle all Police and Navy Check points, especially now it is the only road apart from Obosi road that people can assess Onitsha from,” one of the residents who identified himself as Uzoma Ekene explained.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has commenced a coordinated security and traffic management operation following the temporary closure of the bridge.
Speaking while leading heads of sister security agencies and other strategic security commanders on an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge, adjoining areas and identified diversionary routes, Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama reassured residents, motorists, commuters and businesses of continuous monitoring of developments around the affected routes and prompt response to emerging security or traffic challenges.
He also disclosed deployment of Police-led Joint Security Team to strategic locations around the bridge, diversionary routes and other critical points to maintain security, support effective traffic management and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the situation.
“The deployment is specifically targeted at ensuring safe, orderly and unhindered movement of motorists, commuters and pedestrians, while preventing traffic obstruction, congestion, harassment, opportunistic criminality and other security breaches,” he said.
The CP further directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders within the affected areas to maintain heightened operational alertness, intensified patrols and sustained visibility, while ensuring seamless coordination with sister security agencies throughout the period of the maintenance works.
The CP reassured residents, motorists, commuters and businesses that the Command will continue to closely monitor developments around the affected routes and respond promptly to emerging security or traffic challenges.
He urged the public to remain calm, cooperate with security and traffic personnel, obey diversionary routes and traffic directives, and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or security concerns to the nearest security formation.
“The Command remains fully committed to maintaining public safety, securing critical infrastructure and ensuring the free flow of human and vehicular movement throughout the period of the bridge closure,” he assured.
Sector Commander, FRSC, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno who was on ground to monitor traffic, said the Command has deployed men and materials to strategic locations to manage traffic and ensure the free flow of vehicular movement.
She said, “As you can see, the First Niger Bridge, Onitsha has been temporarily closed to motorists due to the ongoing repair and maintenance works.
“In response, personnel of RS5.3 Commands at Onitsha, Ogidi and Oraifite in collaboration with the sector command have deployed men and materials to strategic locations to manage traffic and ensure the free flow of vehicular movement.”
She identified following routes as major access routes connecting to the Second Niger Bridge for vehicular movement during the closure as Nkpor New Parks – Nkpor Junction – Old Road – Obosi – Second Niger Bridge.
Other routes are Onitsha–Owerri Road from Upper Iweka Flyover towards the Second Niger Bridge as well as Atani Road through Uga Junction down to Harbour Industrial Layout, connecting to the Second Niger Bridge.
Asekhauno however disclosed that those who are already at first Niger bridge from Onitsha could make a U-turn from under the bridge and link Second Niger bridge through Upper lweka – Owerri road.