The Federal Government has placed a ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger in a move to protect the First and Second Niger bridges.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, at the inauguration of the Closed-Circuit Television monitoring centre for the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi said the ban, approved by the Federal Executive Council, forms part of broader efforts to safeguard critical federal infrastructure nationwide. He instructed the Delta State Police Command to enforce the directive and arrest violators.
The minister also disclosed 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 completed.
“The tollgate infrastructure is ready, but tolling will only commence after the completion of the access and bypass roads leading to the bridge,” he said.
He added that the bridge’s security framework would rely on CCTV surveillance rather than physical checkpoints, with security personnel stationed at the monitoring centre to ensure rapid response to emergencies within five minutes.
At the event, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, praised the Federal Government for completing the Second Niger Bridge, describing it as a project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, noted that the bridge’s opening had significantly reduced traffic congestion on the old Niger Bridge, particularly during festive periods.
He expressed optimism that the installation of security cameras would further enhance commuter safety and urged the swift completion of the bridge’s access roads.
