Skip to main content

Commuters express mixed feelings over using pedestrian bridges

Bridge

Some FCT Residents on Wednesday expressed mixed feelings over the poor usage of pedestrian bridges provided in some parts of the city.

Many residents prefer to cross the road by simply sprinting across rather than use the bridges.

Some of the bridges have been turned to mini-markets by some people who hawk their wares at the foot and on top of the bridges instead of allowing them to be used solely for its purpose.

Some of the residents said the locations of most of the bridges were often too far from their bus-stops.

A resident of Lugbe, Mrs Victoria Duru, said that she preferred to cross the road by ‘making a dash’ instead of using the bridge, adding that her bus stop was too far from the bridge.

She said that she was aware of the dangers associated with crossing the busy express road but still prefer it instead of trekking to the pedestrian bridge.

“I know the danger associated with crossing the expressway, especially during the busy period, but I still prefer to cross the road by sprinting across.

“The location of my bus stop to the bridge is quite a distance and is always difficult for me to walk that distance everyday,’’ Duru said.

Another resident, Mrs Yinka Adedeji, said that her fear for heights and the energy used to climb the bridge had hindered her from using the bridge.

“I have phobia for heights and there is no way I can walk without looking down. Moreso, it takes physical strength to climb that bridge.
“Again, one cannot put out the fear of being robbed especially at night,” she said.
Mr Uche Philip, a businessman, said that using the bridge was safer in spite of its challenges.
According to him, it is better to use the bridge than to risk one’s life dashing across busy highways.
“Not doing so can be dangerous. In fact, I will advice that more of these bridges should be constructed in some strategic locations of the city to avert unnecessary deaths of residents.

“Also, there should be people like the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency officers who will monitor the bridge against hawkers because people leave all kinds of dirt and refuse on the walkway.”
Similarly, Mr Yahaya Nasiru, a civil servant, said that using the bridge gives one a sense of sanity.

“When I see pedestrian running across the highway, I assume they are not mentally alright or else, how can one explain the situation.
“I think a task force should be in place within these bridges ensuring that people who want to cross the expressway are either penalised or are fined to serve as a deterrent to others,” Nasiru said.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...