President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the opening of the Second Niger Bridge for use by members of the public by midnight on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
However, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned the public that heavy-duty trucks and trailers will not be allowed on the bridge during the one-month grace period.
The President, who spoke through the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), also urged road users plying the bridge to drive safely and responsibly in order not to defeat the purpose of constructing the project.
Commissioning the bridge for a one-month use during the yuletide, the president said the bridge was constructed to save lives and alleviate poverty occasioned by the waste of man-hours due to perpetual gridlock on the old first bridge.
According to him, it would be counterproductive if the road users decide to be reckless and bring unnecessary mishaps upon themselves, adding; “The maximum speed limit on Nigerian roads is 100km per hour. Don’t drive 101km per hour”.
Furthermore, the Minister said; “The president will be happy to see users drive safely and responsibly while using this road, especially during this Christmas and new year seasons. The president wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
He said the road would be officially opened by 12.01 am on Thursday, December 15 to January 15, 2023, explaining that since the bridge is already finished, the President is concerned about creating an access route so that during Christmas and the New Year festivities, members of the public can experience what it would feel like plying the bridge.
The Minister said; “It would be open for traffic going from the west to the east from the 15th of December 2022 – the 15th of January 2023.
“Let me be clear again; we haven’t finished construction work on the bridge but we would open it for people to use to relieve the pressure from the one bridge. On the 15th of January, we would reverse that movement for those coming from the east to the west.
Fashola said part of the money used in constructing the bridge was looted funds recovered mostly from the United States of America.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta Command, has urged motorists to cooperate with all traffic managers to ensure the free flow of traffic during the Yuletide, cautioning that heavy-duty trucks and trailers would not be allowed.
The Sector Commander, Mr Bassey Esiet, said in a statement on Wednesday that the FRSC would collaborate with all relevant agencies to avert the usual gridlock along the Niger bridge.
He said the temporary opening of the Second Niger bridge was to ease the traffic load and ensure that travellers get to their destination on time, adding; “Sequel to the commencement of the temporary opening of the second Niger bridge, from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023, by Mr Babatunde Fashola Minister of Works and Housing.
“FRSC Delta Corps Commander wishes to notify the motoring public that from December 15 the Second Niger bridge will be opened to vehicles coming from West to East through Asaba.
“However, from 2nd January 2023, only vehicles coming from the East to West will be allowed to use the Second Niger bridge. Members of the public are also informed that heavy-duty trucks and trailers will not be allowed to use the new bridge”.
He charged motorists to avoid speeding, overloading, use of unsafe tyres, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs so as to arrive alive and safe at their destinations.
