The Federal Government has announced a ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger to safeguard the First and Second Niger Bridges.
The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, disclosed this on Friday in Asaba during the commissioning of the Second Niger Bridge Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras Monitoring Centre. He said the decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of measures to protect critical federal infrastructure nationwide.
Umahi also clarified that tolling on the Second Niger Bridge will not commence until all access and bypass roads on the Anambra and Delta sections are fully completed.
According to him, the newly commissioned CCTV monitoring centre is aimed at strengthening security along the federal highway and ensuring swift response to emergencies.
“The tollgate is ready, but we will not begin tolling until the access and bypass roads leading to the bridge are completed,” Umahi said. “There will be no security checkpoints on the road. Instead, police and other security agencies will operate from the CCTV monitoring centre and respond to emergencies within five minutes.”
The minister directed the Delta State Police Command to ensure strict enforcement of the sand mining ban and the arrest of violators.
In his remarks, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, commended the Federal Government for the successful completion of the Second Niger Bridge, highlighting its significant socio-economic benefits to the region.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, noted that the opening of the bridge has eased traffic congestion on the First Niger Bridge, particularly during and after the yuletide period.
Iweka expressed optimism that the installation of the CCTV cameras would further enhance commuters’ confidence and called for the speedy completion of the remaining access roads to the bridgenan
