Yuletide: Security Agencies Urged to Withdraw Checkpoints to Ease Niger Bridge Traffic

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Chima Christian, has lamented the huge traffic on the Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, as he urged security agencies to withdraw their personnel at the bridgehead to ease traffic in the area.

Christian, who stated this to journalists in an interview yesterday, said: “More people are pouring into the Southeast region for the Christmas and new year celebrations.”

He called on the governments of Delta and Anambra States to temporarily withdraw the services of security operatives deployed on the ‘stop and search’ operations at both ends of the Niger Bridge to allow for free flow of traffic.

According to him, “Complaints of the traffic situation at the Niger Bridge is deafening. One writer said he spent six hours driving from Lagos to Delta State, and then five hours from Asaba to Onitsha.

“The already messy traffic situation is compounded by the presence of security operatives deployed on ‘stop and search’ operations at the two ends of the Niger Bridge.

“As more people pour into the Southeast for Christmas and new year celebrations, I implore the governments of Anambra and Delta States to work with relevant authorities to temporarily withdraw the services of those uniformed men and women at the Niger Bridge.

“If the multiple security checkpoints between road users’ different points of origin to the Southeast did not flag them as criminals or offenders of any known law, I’m not exactly sure what miracles those security deployments at the Niger Bridge are expected to perform. Except if the idea is to cause nuisance and increase the sufferings of road users.

“I hereby respectfully call on Governors Okowa and Obiano to rise to the occasion, temporarily withdraw ‘stop and search’ security operatives deployed at both ends of the Niger Bridge, and make access to the bridge a bit freer this festive season.”