TUE, MAY 26 2020-theG&BJournal-Delta and Anambra state governments on Tuesday agreed to work together to ease the daily pressure piled on the Niger Bridge by heavy duty trucks and other vehicles to preserve its structural integrity, resolving to push back their processing points a bit further from the bridge to curtail the gridlock on the bridge as a result of boarder closure between the two states.
The decision was reached at a meeting between officials of governments of both states at their border at the Asaba, Delta State capital end of the bridge
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Secretary to Anambra Government, Prof Solomon Chukwulobelu alongside his Delta counterpart, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said that the new arrangement is intended to free the bridge of heavy trucks frequently bottled up due to heavy traffics and ensure that the integrity of the bridge is not compromised.
He said that there would be exchange of personnel from both states to ensure the integrity of the screening being conducted on human and vehicular traffic at the border post.
The two state governments agreed to move back the processing points at the foot of the bridge a bit further into their respective zone.
“The idea is that those trucks that are not essential or carrying essential commodities can be processed and turned back very quickly so that those that come into the bridge can have faster exit on the bridge, thereby ensuring that there are no heavy trucks on the bridge at any point in time,’’ according to Prof Chukwulobelu. ‘’This is also to minimise the waiting time and the suffering of the people running these trucks.’’
The move also is to ensure the enforcement of the state lockdown imposed due to the inter-state spread of the coronavirus.
Prof Chukwulobelu noted that both governments decided to work together on the enforcement of the lockdown as it concerned movement at the bridge, in the interest of the people who are frequently trapped in the hold up on the bridge.
“We have also agreed and this is for the benefit of the truck drivers – each truck should have just the driver and two other persons only. If you are carrying more than three, that is the driver and two helpers, that truck will not be allowed to proceed further; it will be turned back.
“We further agreed that if you have no business coming unto the bridge, that is a trucker, and you are not carrying essential goods, please do not try to breach this arrangement because you will be turned back,”
On his part, Delta SSG, Ebie, apologized on behalf of both governments for the inconveniences and hardship being faced by the truck drivers as a result of the steps being taken by both governments to ensure implementation of the inter-state lockdown as ordered by President Buhari.
“We have agreed to ensure a free flow of traffic on the bridge and we will work hard to ensure that there are no stationary traffic on the bridge as well.
“We appeal to transporters to note that inter-state movement is still banned and we appeal that you don’t make it more difficult for us because it is already so now.
“It is taking its toll on everybody and we ask that you please cooperate with us and work with us to ensure that we keep ndi Anambra and Deltans safe at this period.” he stated.
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