The Ag Controller of Works in Anambra, Mr Seyi Martins has disclosed that the Second Niger Bridge will be ready for use by next Christmas.
Mr Seyi Martins disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday.
The Acting Controller said that the first phase of the Second Niger Bridge measuring 1.6km, had reached 95 percent completion.
He also disclosed that the long-term coming bridge will be ready for use by December 2022. This is contrary to the news making the round that the project would be ready by 2024.
“The bridge project is 95 percent complete and it is expected to be ready by December 2022,” he said.
Investors King gathered that work has not commenced on the second phase of the project. The controller however noted that motorists will not be subjected to gridlock during the yuletide period.
It could be recalled that Julius Barger International was awarded the construction of the Second Niger Bridge. The bridge connects the cities of Asaba in the Delta state and Onitsha in the Anambra state.
The Second Niger Bridge has often being used as campaign promises. It was first proposed in 1958, then in 1967 and 1987. Upon the return to civilian rule in 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to deliver the second Niger River bridge.
Yet, there were no major activity was carried out on the bridge for eight years until five days to the incoming administration of Late Umar Yar’adua.
Similarly, the bridge dragged on until the death of Yar’adua. In 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to deliver the Second Niger Bridge before the end of 2015. Yet, no significant construction was undertaken on the Second Niger Bridge.
Upon completion, the bridge will significantly impact the socio-economic development of the hosting states. It will link parts of South-South and South-East zones to the rest of the country. The Federal Government has so far committed more than N400 billion to the construction of the Second Niger Bridge.