By Ifeoma Ejiofor
As more and more people pour into the South East for Christmas and new year celebrations, the governments of Delta and Anambra States have been called upon to temporarily withdraw the services of security operatives deployed on “stop and search” operations at both ends of the Niger Bridge.
Chima Christian, a good governance advocate and a public affairs analyst, made this call on Sunday while reacting to the numerous complaints of traffic congestion at the bridge.
According to him, “complaints of the traffic situation at the Niger Bridge is so deafening. One writer said he spent 6 hours driving from Lagos to Delta State, and then 5 hours from Asaba to Onitsha.”
Chima said the already messy traffic situation is compounded by the presence of security operatives deployed on “stop and search operations” at the two ends of the Niger Bridge.
“As more people pour into the southeast for Christmas and new year celebrations, I implore the Governments of Anambra and Delta states to work with relevant authorities to temporarily withdraw the services of those uniformed men and women at the Niger Bridge.
“If the multiple security checkpoints between road users’ different points of origin to the southeast did not flag them as criminals or offenders of any known law, I’m not exactly sure what miracles those security deployments at the Niger Bridge are expected to perform. Except if the idea is to cause nuisance and increase the sufferings of road users.”
“I hereby respectfully call on Governors Okowa and Obiano to rise to the occasion, temporarily withdraw “stop and search” security operatives deployed at both ends of the Niger Bridge, and make access to the bridge a bit freer this festive season” Chima concluded.