The Federal Government has reinstalled solar-powered streetlights, CCTV cameras and security posts on the Second Niger Bridge, a key infrastructure linking the western and eastern regions of Nigeria.
This comes months after the solar lights were vandalised, leaving the bridge in darkness since its virtual inauguration by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.
The lack of lighting had raised safety concerns for night-time commuters and reduced traffic flow on the bridge.
The reinstallation, completed a week ago, aims to enhance security and encourage travelers during the festive season, while also alleviating the notorious traffic congestion on the old Niger Bridge.
Motorists expressed satisfaction with the development, noting that the restored facilities have significantly improved night-time security and vehicular movement on the bridge.
A road user Uche Ifiowu told PUNCH, “This is a good development by the Federal Government and it came at the festive period when there is always an increase in vehicular movements.”
Vice-chairman of the Anambra Drivers Welfare Union, Ebuka Nzeobi, commended the Federal Government for the development, adding that it has enhanced not only vehicular movements on the axis but also economic and commercial activities.
Uchenna Orji, the Special Adviser (Media), to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, told the newspaper on Friday that the Federal Government provided the streetlights, CCTV and other critical facilities simultaneously at the bridge to enhance security and ease of movement.
“For a major road like the Second Niger Bridge, these have been provided so that there would not be issue of insecurity. The solar-powered lights have been installed and the CCTV, so that if there is any crime being committed, within a few seconds, it will be reported and the security agencies will track it immediately,” he said.
