Friday, November 26, 2010

More Bridges for Rivers Niger and Benue, please!.....(1)

Let's be far-sighted and strategic: We need more bridges across River Niger and River Benue! Does this sound alarmist? Let it be.

If you were on the present bridge at Asaba-Onitsha recently, you would see/feel how short-sighted we've been all these years. If anything happens to that bridge today, it will be hell for travellers up and down the country. To have waited this long for its replacement is truly absurd. I will not join the political permutations that are making the rounds on this (deliberate?) neglect. What is clear is that we've short-changed ourselves.

For economic and socio-cultural imperatives/benefits, we need to weld this big country together with futuristic multi-modal transportation infrastructure : roads, rail, air, water. Bridges across these two rivers - strategically spaced from south to north - are a critical link in this matrix.

We shall discuss possible locations in the next installment. Let no one tell us about costs or funding. We found money to dredge the rivers, we'll find money to build the bridges. Once we reduce the obscene cost of running government and stop the criminal looting in government, Nigeria will fly. We can find money for huge airports projects that benefit mostly the elite/ruling class (not that airports are unwelcome!), we must also find money to link our people up nationwide with roads & bridges as well as rail. 

Let's add it to the election agenda. States and communities along the rivers should lead the charge. All smart presidential and gubernatorial aspirants better wave this carrot! And political parties? Can't they see!

No comments: