Residents of Owerri, the Capital City of Imo State, woke up Monday morning to witness the demolition of a pedestrian bridge built under the administration of the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha.
The demolition of the bridge, located within the Warehouse axis, in the heart of the capital city, has attracted mixed reactions from residents.
Mr Jasper Nnodim, a commercial driver, told EKWUTOSBLOG that the demolition of the bridge was a good idea as it never served any purpose.
He revealed that the bridge was later turned to a place of abode by some street urchins and mentally impaired people who on a daily basis converged at the particular spot begging for alms and at times constituted a public nuisance.
Ifeyinwa Oparaugo, a fruit hawker, told our correspondent that the major reason people refused to use the bridge was because of the fear that it may collapse, as it was allegedly built with substandard materials.
“Because of that, people preferred taking the risk of crossing the road amid vehicular movements,” she said.
It was gathered by our correspondent that as of the time the demolition was ongoing, motorists coming from Orlu and Control Post, heading towards Umezuruike and Douglas Road were forced to change route.
When some journalists contacted the Commissioner for Works, Ralph Nwosu, he said he had no knowledge of such a thing.
He expressed shock over the development, maintaining that he was completely unaware of the demolition.
A public commentator, Christopher Okike said that he was worried about the reaction of the works Commissioner.
“For the Commissioner to feign ignorance of such action points to the fact that there is no Coordination among the cabinet.
“Apart from the ministry of works, which other ministry will be saddled with the responsibility of the demolition?” He questioned.
Okike described it as an unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money.
Meanwhile, there are fears that other pedestrian bridges within the capital city are going to face similar action.
