The Federal Government has reinstalled solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras as well as security posts on the Second Niger Bridge connecting the western and eastern parts of the country.

A Punch correspondent who went around the bridge between Wednesday and Thursday evening observed that the solar-powered lights were fully functional and the full stretch of the bridge from the Delta State axis to the Obosi, Anambra State axis, well-illuminated and also provided a beautiful ambience to communities around the facility.

Recall that the street lights on the bridge were reportedly vandalised shortly after its inauguration virtually by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

As a result of the vandalism, the whole stretch of the bridge was thrown into darkness thereby subjecting commuters making use of the bridge at night to dangers for many months as well as resulting in scanty movement there.

It was gathered that the solar-powered lights and CCTV as well as the security post were installed simultaneously a week ago in order to encourage commuters and travellers coming home for the Yuletide to make use of the bridge and also ease traffic gridlock usually occasioned at the old Niger Bridge during the festive season.

Most of the motorists on Friday, expressed delight at the development while observing that the facilities have enhanced security and vehicular movements, at the bridge, especially at night.

One of the road users, a commercial transport operator, who identified himself as Uche Ifiowu, said, “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.

He said, “We just suddenly noticed that everywhere is illuminated on the bridge and this has really encouraged drivers to make use of the road as the fear of insecurity on the bridge has been reduced. For many months, everywhere on the bridge was in total darkness at night due to the absence of street lights, and it created fear and made only a very few drivers ply the road then.

“But since the solar-powered lights started shining, security is enhanced. It has become a different story, my driving experience on the bridge last night was very pleasurable. We urge our brothers and sisters coming home for the festive season to make use of the bridge, it is safe and we commend the Federal Government for this.”

Also speaking, the Vice-Chairman, 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.

“Some people have started opening restaurants; commercial and economic activities are coming alive in the area, especially at the interchange, and if they continue to provide the needed facilities, it would soon make the Idemili and Ogbaru axis of Anambra State, become the hub of business in no distant time.

“For our brothers and sisters coming home for the festive season, especially those travelling to Imo and Abia states as well as Port-Harcourt and other environs, they should utilise the Second Niger Bridge,” Nzeobi added.

When contacted on the development on Friday, Uchenna Orji, the Special Adviser (Media), to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the Federal Government provided the streetlights, CCTV and other critical facilities simultaneously at the bridge to enhance security and ease of movement.

Orji urged the community which the assets were domiciled under to take ownership of them and guard against criminal elements coming near it to vandalise it, adding that the Federal Government installed the CCTV to checkmate criminal activities on the bridge.

He said, “Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard of the beautiful intentions the Federal Government is planning to improve the economic potential of this country through critical infrastructure.

“All the facilities such as solar-powered lights, CCTV, security post and other things needed for a smooth and safe journey are been provided simultaneously, not only at the Second Niger Bridge but at all critical and economic roads that this administration is reconstructing and rehabilitating.

“When this administration came on board and for the first time, it introduced what is called stakeholders engagement and it is to guard these facilities against vandalism. It is to ensure that every stakeholder from the community where this infrastructure is domiciled is expected to see it as their own and guard against it being vandalised.

“Of course, the FG has provided security around the corridors to protect the critical assets, it is now left for the community to own those facilities and ensure that criminals do not come near them.”