Federal government formally takes delivery of second Niger bridge linking Asaba with Onitsha

NIGERIA'S federal government has finally taken delivery of the Second Niger Bridge linking Asaba in Delta State with Onitsha on Anambra State after the contractor handling the project handed it over to works minister David Umahi.

Long in the works, the second has been considered vital for the economy of the southeast geo-political zone as it links the region with Lagos and southwest Nigeria. Earlier this year, the previous government of President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the bridge but it did not become functional as some of the feeder roads still needed to be completed.

Yesterday, Mr Umahi commended the previous and present administration for doing a lot to bring the work to fruition, described the job as impeccable, very beautiful and well completed. Speaking shortly after he was conducted around the road and the facilities by the managing director of the contractor Julius Berger Dr Lars Richter, he said he was satisfied with the level of work done.

Mr Umahi added:“What we have agreed is to deploy solar solutions in the coming weeks so that every night we don’t have to run diesel. The roads are going to be completed when we have completed the two interchanges, one is taking us off from Asaba town to cut off the traffic and the other one is going to be done by Reynolds Construction Company to avoid Onitsha town and take you straight to Obosi.

“President Ahmed Tinubu is very committed to the project and we are going to acquire more so that we can build service stations, filling stations, restaurants, supermarkets and other facilities as we see in the Western world. We are determined to do that as the need to do this with the interchanges is going to be a very smart one so that over the years we can have a beautiful and maintained road.”

He further assured of security in the bridge adding that the government had provided closed-circuit televisions and personnel who can provide assistance within five minutes. Mr Richter added that the bridge was successfully completed in time and Julius Berger had delivered the highest quality of work.

Bede Obioha,  the director, bridges design and construction, south,  in the Federal Ministry of Works, tasked residents around the second Niger bridge to help secure the facilities. He commended the staff of his ministry and the contractors for a job well done and urged road users and the residents to abide by the rules.