FG Bans Sand Mining Around River Niger Bridges
The Federal Government has banned sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger to protect the First and Second Niger bridges.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, during the inauguration of the Second Niger Bridge Closed-Circuit Television monitoring centre.
Umahi said the ban was approved by the Federal Executive Council as part of efforts to safeguard critical federal infrastructure across the country.
He directed the Delta State Police Command to enforce the ban and arrest offenders.
The minister also said tolling on the Second Niger Bridge would not commence until all access roads on the Anambra and Delta sides of the bridge are completed.
“The tollgate is ready, but we won’t start tolling on the road until we complete the access roads and bypass roads that lead to bridge.
“The idea is that there will be no security checkpoints on the road, police and other security agencies will be at the CCTV monitoring centre and provide rapid response to emergencies within five minutes,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, commended the Federal Government for completing the Second Niger Bridge, describing it as a project with significant socio-economic benefits.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, said the opening of the bridge had eased traffic congestion on the old Niger Bridge, especially during the yuletide.
He expressed confidence that the installation of security cameras would further boost the safety of commuters and called for the speedy completion of the access roads to the bridge.