The Federal Government has announced a ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger in a move aimed at protecting the First and Second Niger bridges.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, during the inauguration of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring centre for the Second Niger Bridge. He explained that the decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council as part of broader efforts to safeguard key federal infrastructure across the country.
Umahi directed the Delta State Police Command to ensure strict enforcement of the ban, warning that anyone found violating the directive would be arrested.
He also clarified that tolling on the Second Niger Bridge would not begin until all access and bypass roads linking the bridge from both the Anambra and Delta sides are fully completed.
“The tollgate is ready, but we will not commence tolling until the access roads and bypass roads leading to the bridge are completed,” the minister said. He added that the bridge would operate without security checkpoints, as surveillance and security operations would be handled from the CCTV monitoring centre, allowing for rapid response to emergencies within five minutes.
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Traditional rulers present at the event praised the Federal Government for completing the bridge. The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, described the project as a major achievement with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the region and the country at large.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, noted that the bridge had significantly reduced traffic congestion on the old Niger Bridge, particularly during festive periods.
He expressed confidence that the installation of security cameras would further enhance the safety of road users and called on the government to fast-track the completion of the remaining access roads.
