President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of the widely publicised second Niger Bridge project in Onitsha, Anambra state.
The project, which is awarded to Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, in the sum of N117 billion is being executed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concession period of 25 years, through a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model.
President Jonathan said to ensure timely delivery; the Federal Government has made a commitment to contribute 25% of the construction cost, in the sum of N30 Billion.
According to him, the project represents a strategic national infrastructure with great socio-economic prospects for the contiguous States, and indeed, for the entire Nation.
He noted further that the project remains 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.
Stressing the importance of the bridge in the north east zone, President Jonathan noted that on completion, the bridge, which 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 said, “I am here today for the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of the 2nd Niger bridge.
“You will recall that during my electoral campaigns in 2011, I promised the good people of the South-East that if elected President, I would ensure that the 2ndRiver Niger Bridge, is constructed.
“Today, I have come, as your President, to flag-off of this vital Bridge project, in order to move that solemn pledge, from sincere promise to concrete reality.
“As part of our administration’s Transformation Agenda in the road sector, we have set out to construct two very important new bridges, across our Nation’s two great rivers – the River Niger and River Benue.
“These are the Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nassarawa and Benue States, which is progressing satisfactorily, and this 2nd Niger Bridge, connecting Anambra and Delta States.
“It will massively improve road transportation in the South-East of Nigeria, and also reduce travel times substantially, in this part of the country”.
President Jonathan informed that the project has been programmed in strict compliance with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, and the Public Procurement Act. He also assured that the second Niger Bridge project will be a success as no stone has been left unturned considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations to deliver it.
The President commended Governor Peter Obi, whose tenure ends in a few days, Governor Uduaghan, and all the people and host communities, for their patience, understanding, support and cooperation in the realisation of the commencement of this project.
Present at the historic occasion were Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, the South East Governors, traditional rulers and top government functionaries.
