First Phase Of 2nd Niger Bridge To Be Completed July – FG

the Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, on Monday said the first phase of the construction of the second Niger Bridge would be completed in July if there were no interruptions.

Alumona also revealed that 46 percent of the first phase of work on the bridge has been executed, adding that the Federal Government would award the main contract for the bridge in same July.

He gave these indications while receiving Osita Okechukwu, the Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON) and head of All Progressives Congress (APC) project monitoring team, who led his delegation to the project site at Onitsha.
Julius Berger is handling the construction of the bridge, which covers a 7.5km stretch.

Briefing the APC project monitoring team on the progress of work on the project, Alumona explained that the first phase awarded by the Federal Government at the cost of N14.5 billion included early works, which have progressed from stage one to four.

He disclosed that the Federal Government was bearing the entire cost of the project.
According to him, the early works include the design of the main bridge, as well as filling of the embankments, whose completion is expected in July.

“We are now in early works four, and it has been executed 46 percent. The early works will be completed by July. The main contract will also be awarded by July if there were no interruptions,” Alumona said.
Responding, Okechukwu opined that he was satisfied with the progress of work so far made.

“The president remains committed to the delivery of 4000 kilometres of functional roads, 5000 kilometres of railway, self-sufficiency in food production through massive investment in agriculture and power by doing Mambilla Plateau to generate 8000 megawatts and revamping Enugu coal to generate 1000 megawatts,” the VON DG said.
The major concern of the president is that without critical infrastructure, Nigerians will not do well. He believes what is stunting economic growth in the country is lack of critical infrastructure.

“He also believes public funds are the best way to develop critical infrastructure. This has been done so far.”

Okechukwu, therefore, urged Ndigbo to give President Buhari electoral support for a second term to ensure the completion of the second Niger Bridge and other projects being embarked by his administration in the South-East.

These projects include the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressways.