WORK appears to have commenced on the proposed second bridge across the Niger River in Nigeria as equipment
belonging to leading construction giant, Julius Berger, was seen working in the area.
The second bridge across the Niger is expected to span all the way from the city of Asaba, in Delta State, to the commercial hub of neighboring Onitsha in Anambra State.
Heavy equipment belonging to Julius Berger as earthmovers, among other machinery, were seen in operation in the area near the existing Niger Bridge at the Asaba end of the river.
A company official who did not wish to be named because he did not have orders so speak about the project said that Julius Berger was building an access road to a location that would serve as a camp for the German construction company while the construction lasts. “The road we are trying to do now is an obvious sign that work will soon start on the second Niger bridge project. It is the first step,’’ the official said, although he would not state when the actual construction of the bridge would commence.
The foundation stone for the second River Niger Bridge was laid by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the Onitsha end of the bridge about two weeks before he left office in 2007. On assumption of office in 2007, late President Musa Yar ‘Adua promised to build the bridge.
Similar promise was made by President Goodluck Jonathan when he assumed office in 2011. In March, 2013, works minister Mike Onolememen, announced that the Federal Government was set to commence work of the second Niger Bridge before the third quarter of the year.
Onolememen, who spoke during a visit to the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, said that the time had come for “serious action on the second River Niger Bridge’’. He had said that the project would be completed before the expiration of Jonathan’s administration in 2015 “as part of efforts to deliver on his campaign promises’’. He had added that the bridge, when constructed would ease transportation problems constantly being experienced in the area.