Second Niger Bridge project: FG completes designs for link roads

THE Federal Government of Nigeria says it has completed the designs for the link roads to the second Niger Bridge from the Onitsha and Asaba ends and is presently at procurement stage.

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola disclosed this Saturday when he inspected work on the project.

The Minister who was in Anambra State to inspect ongoing Federal Government projects was received at the State’s Border with Enugu at Amansea by the State Commissioner for Road Infrastructure, Furniture and Maintenance, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor before he proceeded to inspect work on the 1.59 kilometre second Niger Bridge.

During the inspection, it was observed that piling work has been done 15 percent from the Delta end while pile cases to be used for reinforcing the foundation of the bridge, have started arriving.

The Former Lagos State Governor who revealed that only the design of the bridge had been done when he assumed office as Minister, noted that aside the visible work on the bridge, the link roads that will lead to the bridge from both ends are progressing at an appreciable pace.

He further noted that the Federal Government is undertaking maintenance works on the existing Niger Bridge to ensure that it continues to effectively serve as a connection between the Eastern and Western Nigeria until the new one is completed.

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The Minister assured that the Buhari administration is desirous to deliver the second Niger Bridge in a record time and will continue to release funds to ensure that the project is achieved on time.

The Federal Controller of Works in Charge of the Project, Mr Innocent Alumona said the initial project was awarded in three phases and all have been completed and they have moved into the fourth phase.

From the second Niger Bridge, the Minister proceeded to inspect work on the Ziks Mausoleum, Onitsha which was awarded in 2012 to the tune of 1.496 billion naira.

Speaking after the inspection, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction that despite having been paid in full, the contractor is yet to deliver the Project and urged him to speed up the pace of work.

The contractor however assured that he will deliver the Project by September, this year.