Ohanaeze rejects plan to toll Second Niger Bridge

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-political group of the Igbo tribe, has rejected a proposal by the Federal Government to erect a tollgate on the Second Niger Bridge.

Many were excited when the Federal Government directed the opening of the new bridge for those travelling to that axis for the yuletide and new year holiday.

But Ohanaeze criticized Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for saying the temporarily opened bridge would be tolled for the purpose of maintenance.

According to the Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, the plan to toll the bridge will dent the image of the Buhari-led administration.

He faulted the proposed tolling of the bridge, saying public funds were used to provide the long-awaited service to the people.

He said, “It will amount to ‘impoverishment’ to toll the bridge. Is there any other highway in Nigeria where there is a tollgate? 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 tollgates; they collect money from people.”