The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State, Rev. Hilary Okeke, has lauded the Federal Government for its work on the second Niger Bridge.
He, however, warned against politicising the project in view of its huge significance to the country.
Bishop Okeke, who gave the advice in his Christmas message in Nnewi, urged the Federal Government to keep to its promises by delivering the project on time.
House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday called for the completion of the Second Niger Bridge and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, saying that they are pivotal to national development.
Dogara spoke while declaring open a two-day investigative hearing on the nature of the contract or concession arrangement on the projects, organised by the House Committee on Works.
Represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Chukwuka Onyema, Dogara said the investigative hearing became critical given that the projects were constant ugly features in national discourse.
While stating that proactive steps must be taken to ensure early completion of the projects, the Speaker said that the projects constitute vital arterial network for the country’s road transport system.
“They have become media sensations and highly politicized to the extent that it now seems that we are playing games with the lives of our people.
“Past administrations have celebrated progress ostensibly made on them while achieving little or nothing in reality,’’ Dogara said.
According to the Speaker, the House observed that contracts for the projects continued to feature in annual budgets without any seeming signs of their completion or total amount required to do so.
“The Minister for Power, Works and Housing stated that funds for the projects in 2017 Appropriation Act were reduced, so they run the risk of becoming white elephant projects because they are not under concession or Public-Private Partnership arrangement.’’
He added that the manner of execution of the projects was not in accordance with any defined method of projects execution.
“The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority had spent about N18 billion on the Second Niger Bridge as the financier during their early stages.
“As a result of these observations, the House, by resolution, urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to provide funds in the 2018 budget for the completion of the projects,’’ the Speaker said.
Dogara noted that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had become a subject of litigations as the government vacillates between executing it through PPP arrangement and direct funding.
“Unfortunately, the same affliction is seeping into the execution of the Second Niger Bridge.
“If the House of Representatives, in its oversight responsibility, does not step in at this time, we run the risk of continuing this path and the rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will remain a mirage and the Second Niger Bridge will never get constructed,’’ Dogara said.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved continuation of work on the second Niger Bridge.
It also approved emergency repair works on Tambruawa Bridge between Kaduna and Kano States.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting in Abuja.
He said: “We presented from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing two memoranda, one was first for emergency repair works of Tambuwawa Bridge between Kaduna and Kano, situated largely in Kano. Council considered and approved the emergency procurement.
“The bridge was suffering from scrap and erosion, the parts were exposed as a result of some mining activities. We got approval for that by Council.
“The second memo related to the continuation of work on the second Niger Bridge which is the bridge that is meant to give relief to the existing Niger Bridge and improve connectivity between the West and the East.
“The project was conceived first as a PPP with government financing but the investors had not brought themselves, negotiations had not been concluded and it is important to continue to work there.”
President Goodluck Jonathan Monday, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State estimated to cost N117 billion.
Speaking at the occasion, he said that the project to be handled by Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium has been programmed in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, and the Public Procurement Act.
According to him, no stone has been left unturned to ensure its success considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations.
He said: “The Federal Government is executing this project under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concession period of 25 years, precisely, through a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model.”
“We are confident in the capacity and competence of the Concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, to deliver on this project, at the construction cost of about N117 Billion Naira.”
To ensure timely delivery of the project, he said that the Federal Government has made a commitment to contribute 25 per cent of the construction cost, in the sum of N30 Billion.
Recalling that the project was part of his electoral campaigns promises in 2011, he commended outgoing Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and all the people and host communities for their patience, understanding, support and cooperation in the realisation of the commencement of the project.
He said further: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we commemorate our centenary of nationhood, it is my firm belief that this bridge will deepen national integration and also enhance economic and social interaction among other parts of our country and the South-East.”
“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.”
“The 2nd Niger Bridge, whose foundation we are laying today, represents a strategic national infrastructure, with great socio-economic prospects for the contiguous States, and indeed, for the entire Nation. It is 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.”
“On completion, this 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. It will massively improve road transportation in the South-East of Nigeria, and also reduce travel times substantially, in this part of the country.”
On the national conference, said: “Next week, in Abuja, I shall be inaugurating the National Conference, and it seems appropriate that this bridge, and the Conference, two major emblems of National cohesion, are being inaugurated within the same period. I would like to assure you all that every effort will be made to ensure that this 2nd Niger Bridge is delivered.”
President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday in Abuja that he would do the “real ground-breaking” ceremony for the second Niger Bridge in Anambra on March 10.
The president said this on Tuesday when he received a delegation of Anambra people led by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Gov. Peter Obi.
The delegation, which also included the governor-elect of the state, Willie Obiano, was on a thank-you and solidarity visit to the president.
Jonathan said that the launch of the construction work on the bridge was in keeping with his promise to the people of Anambra,
He explained that he could have launched the project long ago with fanfare but government must show commitment to its execution.
He said that with proper planning and funding now put in place, he was ready to start the project in earnest.
“The Minister of Works has briefed me that they have done a lot of mobilisation; we are coming to do real ground breaking ceremony of the second Niger Bridge and other projects,” he said.
It will be recalled that the president had, during a recent visit to the state, pledged to launch the construction of the bridge before Obi leaves office on March 17.
He commended Obi for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Federal Government.
He also used the opportunity to admonish other elected officials and politicians to focus on developing their states rather than make a past-time of attacking and abusing the president.
“A number of politicians feel that the best thing to do is to be abusing Mr. President, abusing the Federal Government and so on.
“You are elected to develop your state and I think the best thing is to have good relationship with the centre; whether you have a pin or you do not have but one day it will come.
“Wearing boxing gloves, jumping into the boxing ring to face Mr. President does not help the development of any state.”
The president specifically commended Obi for his people-oriented programmes and for managing an opposition-controlled state assembly without a crisis.
He pledged to give his successor, Willie Obiano, equal support to help him succeed.
The president also promised to retain Obi in the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team even after he leaves office as state governor.
Earlier, Obi had said that it would be difficult for a state governor to make meaningful impact without the support of the Federal Government.
He specifically thanked the president for the support given to his state.
“I have been governor under three presidents and I know the difference.
“Anambra state is your home and we are committed to supporting you and your government,” he said.
The Federal Government has issued a letter of intent on the construction of the second Niger Bridge to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc under a proposed public private partnership (PPP).
Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, stated this yesterday at a post-Annual General Meeting (AGM) media briefing.
He said private public partnership involves the federal government as the sponsor, Julius Berger Nigeria as the major partner and some other international investors.
According to him, Julius Berger submitted the bid for the bridge in December 2012 and was chosen the preferred bidder in January and the latest issuance of letter of intent was a further consolidation of the project agreement.
He said the Federal Government is still in continuous discussion with his company, which is expected to play a major role in the financing of the bridge.
“We hopefully wish to start at the end of the year. We have been issued the letter of intent. We are already on sight and we will play a major role in the financial close,” Goetsch said.
He noted that Julius Berger would leverage on the potential benefit of PPP to diversify its business portfolio in spite of the challenges inherent in such arrangement.
Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, AVM Nurudeen Imam, outlined that the company would step up its business development efforts by exploring opportunities in alternative financing models including options such as public private partnership (PPP) and build-operate-transfer (BOT).
Any option of the PPP involving financial contribution from Julius Berger Nigeria and other investors implies that the private sector partners would be given agreed period to recoup their investments through tolling on the bridge.
Goetsch said the company has started the mobilisation for the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway assuring that as one of the busiest roads in Nigeria and even beyond, the company would put all its expertise together to design a construction plan that would ease the pain of motorists on the road as it works on the road.
He attributed the delay in some of the company’s major projects including the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Abuja airport road to inadequate funding, pointing out that the company places emphasis on delivery within schedules.