Some traders in Onitsha, Anambra State on Tuesday said they will not call 2nd Niger Bridge Muhammadu Buhari Bridge.
The traders made this known while speaking with Igbere TV correspondent in Onitsha after President Muhammadu commissioned the 2nd Niger Bridge, the 1.6km bridge linking Asaba, Delta State with Onitsha, Anambra State and other South-East States, as the bridge has been named after him.
According to one of the traders who identified himself as Emeka Orji said they prefer calling it 2nd Niger Bridge to Muhammadu Buhari Bridge.
“We have decided to continue calling it 2nd Niger Bridge instead of the Muhammadu Buhari Bridge that South East Governors named it”.
Other respondents equally said the same thing.
President Buhari, who performed the commissioning of the bridge via Zoom on said the bridge is one of the critical infrastructures delivered by his administration to fight poverty, promote economic growth and ensure progress for the people.
He noted that the bridge and other projects being commissioned symbolised his administration’s sharp focus on delivering prosperity across the country.
“I am honoured to hand over this bridge and other projects for public use. The bridge will reduce travel time and promote economic activities in the South East, South-South and other parts of the country.
“Those crossing the old Niger bridge will no longer experience gridlock as it will help to improve the socio-economic activities of the South-East. In eight years, I am proud to say that we have developed Nigeria’s stock of infrastructure of Gross Domestic Products from about 20 per cent to over 40 per cent and that is not a small undertaken.”
On the naming of the bridge after him, the President said he was not consulted before the bridge was named after him.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, who also joined the event via Zoom, said, “This is a clear case of how infrastructure supports the people. It will take only a few minutes to cross the bridge of approximately 1.5km, travel time is reduced by 50 per cent. By this bridge, various properties in the area have appreciated.”
“After consultation with the state governors and other critical stakeholders, we decided to name the bridge Muhammadu Buhari Bridge.”
In his remarks, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the bridge would help boost the nation’s economy and ease of doing business between Delta and Anambra states.
