Home NEWS POLITICS Jonathan Flags Off Construction Of N117 Billion Second Niger Bridge, To Be...

Jonathan Flags Off Construction Of N117 Billion Second Niger Bridge, To Be Completed In 25 Years

Second Niger Bridge
Second Niger Bridge

President Goodluck Jonathan, today, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the commencement of the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge at Onitsha, in Anambra state. Work on the bridge, estimated to cost N117 Billion, with federal government providing a partnership amount of N30 Billion, is being handled by Julius Berger Construction company.
President Jonathan made it clear that the project has been programmed in strict compliance with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, and the Public Procurement Act, adding that no stone has been left unturned in ensuring the success of the project, considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations to deliver this vital bridge.
“The Federal Government is executing this project under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concession period of 25 years, precisely, through a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model. We are confident in the capacity and competence of the Concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, to deliver on this project, at the construction cost of about N117 Billion Naira.
“To facilitate timely delivery, the Federal Government has made a commitment to contribute 25% of the construction cost, in the sum of N30 Billion.”
Jonathan said that as part of his administration’s Transformation Agenda in the road sector, it has set out to construct two very important new bridges across the Nation’s two great rivers-the River Niger and River Benue.
“These are the Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nasarawa and Benue States, which is progressing satisfactorily, and this 2nd Niger Bridge, connecting Anambra and Delta States.
“The 2nd Niger Bridge, whose foundation we are laying today, represents a strategic national infrastructure, with great socio-economic prospects for the contiguous States, and indeed, for the entire Nation. It is an important economic artery that will connect the great markets of Onitsha and Aba, as well as the industrial hub of Nnewi and beyond, to both the Northern and Southern parts of our country.”
He said that the 2nd Niger bridge, which he said, is being constructed almost 50 years after the existing bridge opened to traffic, will alleviate the pains experienced by travellers as a result of congestion of the old bridge, particularly during festive periods.
He added that it will massively improve road transportation in the South-East of Nigeria, and reduce travel times substantially, in that part of the country.
President Jonathan was of the belief that with the
commemoration of Nigeria’s centenary of nationhood, the bridge will deepen national integration and enhance economic and social interaction between other parts of the country and the South-East.
He gave firm commitment to the fact that effort will be made to ensure that the 2nd Niger Bridge is delivered.

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