FG plan tolling of 2nd Niger bridge, Ohanaeze kicks

Ohanaeze argued that tolling the Second Niger Bridge will put a dent in Buhari’s government’s performance.

The Igbo apex socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the move by the Federal Government to install a tolling point on the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge.

Recall that the FG ordered a temporary opening of the bridge, which it said was 95% complete, to ease traffic during the festive period.

However, the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola said for the purpose of maintenance, the bridge would be tolled when it begins full operation.

Reacting to the idea, the Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, in an interview with Saturday Punch, argued that tolling the bridge would soil the performance of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Furthermore, he said putting a toll on a project built using public funds is a disservice to the people of the region.

“It will amount to ‘impoverishment’ to toll the bridge. Is there any other highway in Nigeria where there is a toll gate? So, this is strange. It is like imposing unnecessary taxation on the people.

“You see today, everywhere you go, you will meet one checkpoint or the other. Checkpoints are like toll gates, they collect money from people.

“These corrupt military or security personnel collecting money from the public and now the government is setting up another toll gate, all these things are a punishment to the populace.

“There is no other toll gate in any other part of Nigeria except this one that they are proposing. They won’t be able to reconcile their rationale for a toll gate. It is not proper.”