The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, AIG Isaac Akinmoyede, has reiterated that the South-east geopolitical zone is safe for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Zone 9 comprises Abia, Ebonyi and Imo Police Commands.
In
the same vein, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said the temporary
opening of the Second Niger Bridge to the motoring public has reduced the
burden on the old bridge by more than 40 percent.
A
statement issued by the Zone 9 spokesperson, Bruno Iheanetu, said that the AIG
also urged the people to be law-abiding as they celebrate. According to
Iheanetu, the police in zone 9 and other security agencies had put in place
adequate plans to combat criminal activities during and after the celebrations.
The
statement also urged people to abide strictly by the Electoral Act as they
celebrate, bearing in mind that the general election was around the corner.
“The
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters Umuahia, AIG Isaac
O. Akinmoyede, on behalf of officers and men of Zone 9 Police Command
Headquarters wishes to felicitate with all Christians under the Zone 9 Police
Command which comprises of Abia, Ebonyi and Imo Police Command as they
celebrate the Christmas and New year Festivals.
“The
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters Umuahia, while
wishing all Christians a merry Christmas celebration, urges them to use this
period to pray for sustenance, peace and security in the Zone as well as the
unity of the country at large.
“The
Zone 9 Police Command Headquarters uses this medium to assure all well-meaning
Nigerians especially those coming home for the yuletide celebration of their
safety before, during and after the celebrations as the Zonal Command in
synergy with other sister agencies have put in place adequate and sophisticated
apparatus and strategic operational order to ensure the safety of all and
sundry before, during and after the yuletide season.
“AIG
Isaac Akinmoyede further advises members of the public to adhere strictly to
the Electoral Act, extant laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria given the forthcoming general election amidst the merriment of the
yuletide season.”
However,
the FRSC has said the temporary opening of the Second Niger Bridge to the
motoring public has reduced the burden on the old bridge by more than 40 percent.
The
Sector Commander of FRSC in Anambra State, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi, stated this in
Awka, the state capital, yesterday. Irelewuyi said the decision of the federal
government to temporarily open the new bridge to traffic was a welcome and
timely gesture as it had greatly eased pressure on the old bridge.
He
noted that the Niger Bridge at Onitsha had been critical to vehicular traffic,
especially during the Christmas and New Year festivities since Anambra State is
the gateway state to the South-east and the South-south geopolitical zones.
He
noted that when small vehicles are diverted from the old bridge, about 40 percent
of the traffic on it would have been diverted, thereby reducing the gridlock.
“The
bridge is just 1.1 kilometres, which should take a motorist moving at 50
kilometres per hour to cross it within two to three minutes. Before now,
motorists spent between 12 hours and 18 hours on that bridge; the maximum time
spent on the bridge now is 30 minutes.
“One
of the strategies is that vehicles are now compelled to move in one lane in
opposite directions, it could be slow but it is steady,’’ he said.
The
Federal Ministry of Works, the governments of Anambra and Delta states, as well
as the security agencies have formed a committee which worked towards
decongesting traffic around the Niger Bridge.
Irelewuyi
said the committee ensured that all factors which inhibited the free flow of
traffic were removed as much as possible.
“Loading
of passengers around the bridge is no longer possible; we have three big tow
trucks permanently stationed around the bridge to facilitate quick removal of
broken down vehicles and clear the road,’’ he added.
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