Commuters and Business operators in the Western axis of the Onitsha bridge are already feeling the impact of the two-week temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge for emergency maintenance works.
Though traffic is diverted to the Obosi axis of the Second Niger bridge, but on day one of the bridge closure, road users and businesses are already counting their losses and pains.
The effects of the closure are immediate on a cross section of residents, businesses, commuters, motorists and other road users, who ply the ever-busy Onitsha – Asaba highway.
There’s already a sharp increase in transport fares, as commercial transporters take advantage of the second Niger bridge route to hike fares.
For many who could not afford the new transport costs, they now resort to trekking, carrying the burden of their wares.
The Federal Ministry of Works has said the emergency repairs which will be done both day and night within the 14-day maintenance window, are critical to prevent a bigger breakdown.
As the repair works get underway, commuters, traders, and transporters are left to bear the costs of daily survival, both in time, man-hours, money, and stress.
Some residents and commuters are however, commending the authorities for the emergency maintenance works, urging the Federal Government to expedite action to ease the hardship of road on the this critical trade corridor.
Yet, an appeal to the government by motorcyclists as a single line measure to ease the suffering of petty traders and commuters, especially those avoiding boat transportion.
With 13 days still ahead on the bridge repair works, the people expect Anambra and Delta State governments to promptly fix the bad access roads linking to the Second Niger bridge routes.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
