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Tag: Niger Bridge

  • Fed Govt bans sand mining on River Niger, installs CCTV cameras on 2nd Niger Bridge

    Fed Govt bans sand mining on River Niger, installs CCTV cameras on 2nd Niger Bridge

    The Federal Government has announced a ban on mining of sand ten kilometer radius on River Niger as measures to protect the first and second Niger bridges.

    Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi disclosed this on Friday in Asaba during the commissioning of the second Niger bridge CCTV monitoring centre.

    He said the decision was taken by the Federal Executive Council as part of efforts to protect critical federal infrastructure across the country.

    According to him, tolling on the second Niger Bridge will not commence until all access roads at Anambra and Delta State sections are completed.

    He added that the CCTV monitoring centre was to ensure adequate security along the Federal highway.

    “The tollgate is ready but we won’t start tolling on the road until we complete the access roads and bypass roads that lead to the bridge.

    “The idea is that there will be no security checkpoints on the road, police and other security agencies will be at the CCTV monitoring centre and provide rapid response to emergencies within five minutes,” he added.

    Read Also: EU removes Nigeria from terrorism financing list

    Umahi directed Delta Police Command to ensure implementation of the ban as well as arrest offenders.

    The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge commended the Federal Government for effectively completing the second Niger bridge and enumerated the socio economic benefits of the project.

    Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka said the opening of the bridge has reduced traffic on the first bridge and eased movement during and after the yuletide.

    Expressing optimism that the installation of the security camera would boost confidence of commuters plying the road, Iweka called for speedy completion of the access roads to the second Niger Bridge.

  • Tinubu flags off phase 2B access road to 2nd Niger Bridge

    Tinubu flags off phase 2B access road to 2nd Niger Bridge

    President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the 2B access road to the second Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The N170 .7bn contract was awarded to CGC construction company for completion within 30 months

    It marks a significant step in enhancing transportation infrastructure and regional connectivity in the Southeast.

    Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented the President at the groundbreaking ceremony by while the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, was in attendance.

    The event took place at Ogbunike (33 Nkwelle Junction) along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    The Second Niger Bridge, inaugurated in 2023, has greatly improved travel between the Southeast and other parts of the country but its full benefits have been hindered by incomplete access roads.

    The newly launched Phase 2B construction aims to address this by delivering a 17.5km dual carriageway with seven bridges and modern infrastructure, including security cameras.

    The road will stretch from the Umunya/Ogbunike axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, passing through the Old Enugu Road Interchange, Ogidi, Nkpor-Umuoji Road Interchange, to the Asaba-Igbuzor Road Interchange and Valley Bridge.

    Umahi hailed Soludo for his leadership and transformative achievements in multiple sectors in Anambra State in the last three years,especially on road infrastructure.

    Read Also: Tinubu congratulates Jonathan on winning Sunhak Peace Prize

    He said that Anambra has 18 ongoing federal road projects, including the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, which has been split between MTN and another company for effective execution.

    Umahi further said that payments for the project would be tied to work progress with 30 percent of the contract sum already disbursed.

    He pleaded with communities along the routes to support the project and avoid disruptions.

    He reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to the Southeast, citing key appointments such as the Chief of Naval Staff and the Minister of Works as proof of the administration’s dedication to the region.

    Soludo said the Second Niger Bridge would remain incomplete until the entire 35km access road was fully constructed.

    He thanked Tinubu while expressing optimism with Umahi as Minister of Works, the project would be completed as planned.

  • Fed Govt  condemns theft of Second Niger Bridge expansion joints 

    Fed Govt  condemns theft of Second Niger Bridge expansion joints 

    The Federal Government has expressed displeasure over the theft of the expansion joints on the recently inaugurated 2nd Niger Bridge by unknown vandals.

    Describing the act as a cruel sabotage of a national asset, the government said it was regrettable that the bridge was being vandalised by those it is also serving.

    The condemnation is contained in a statement by Uchenna Orji special adviser on Media to Works Minister Dave Umahi.

    Umahi, according to the statement,  enjoined persons living close to major bridges to help protect them against vandals. He also announced that whistle-blowers would be rewarded while a formidable security arrangement would be deployed to watch over major highways and bridges.

    The statement by Orji reads:’’The Minister of Works, Dr. Dave Umahi  is in receipt of a report on the activities of vandals on the superstructure of the 2nd Niger Bridge, particularly the cruel and cowardly incident of destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb the thermal expansions of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

    “He expresses deep shock that reports of vandalism are still being recorded despite the presence of the private security outfit deployed by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.

    “The minister condemns in the strongest terms this ruthless destruction of the expansion joints as a deliberate act of sabotage on a key national infrastructure that has immense socio-economic benefits to the contiguous states and indeed the entire nation.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

    “It is saddening that a human being with the right senses could destroy such a critical and strategic treasure that catalyses Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.

    “The minister notes that the 2nd Niger Bridge which was handed over to the Renewed Hope administration on 12th December 2023,  after its completion, is one of the PIDF(Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund)  projects intended to bridge the gap in the road infrastructure yearnings of the people of the area and boost economic activities by expanding access into the southern part of Nigeria, creating vistas of tourism and trade opportunities and improving road safety along the corridor.

    “But it is heart-rending that the facilities are being vandalised by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves.”

    “The minister appreciates the public for the zeal of their concerns, particularly the patriotic young  Nigerian who raised the desired alarm that trended widely in media platforms, and he assures the public that a more formidable security architecture is being activated to forestall further havoc on the facilities, while a technical team has been directed to inspect, evaluate and reinstate the damaged parts of the superstructure.”

  • Suspected vandal electrocuted, two nabbed on second Niger Bridge

    Suspected vandal electrocuted, two nabbed on second Niger Bridge

    A yet-to-be identified man was on the early hours of Monday, September 4, electrocuted at a transformer in Amawbia community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state.

    The deceased was said to have stormed the area with members of his gang to vandalize electrical wire installations at the transformer infront of a hotel when the incident happened.

    A resident of the area who identified himself as Eric Okonkwo said the suspects had taken advantage of the 4-day power outage that affected the state capital to carry out the act.

    He said the deceased was however unlucky as light was restored by Enugu Electrical Distribution Company (EEDC) around midnight while he was disconnecting the cables.

    Okonkwo said:”Luck ran out on one of them who was disconnecting the wires when EEDC suddenly restored power at about 12 midnight and was electrocuted.

    “Immediately his gang discovered their colleague has been electrocuted, they abandoned him and fled with the wires they had already vandalized.”

    In a related development, two robbery suspects were arrested while dispossessing unsuspecting citizens of their valuables on the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha.

    Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspects, aged between 20 and 22 years, from Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively were arrested by operatives attached to Harbour Division.

    He said two daggers and five sim cards removed from previously stolen phones were recovered from them while their accomplices fled.

    He said: “The Police team which was on surveillance patrol on the Bridge to prevent vandals from stealing expansion joints  were alerted  to activities of the gang near the Obosi end of the bridge. 

    “The Covert Police Team monitored the gang and swooped in on them arresting two of the gangsters while others fled. 

    Read Also: Tackling vandalism, insecurity on underused Second Niger Bridge

    “When searched, two daggers  and five sim cards removed from previously stolen phones were recovered from the suspects aged between 20 and 22 years.

    “One of the suspect hailed from Enugu State and the other from Ebonyi State.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye commended the Police Team for its vigilance and courage in confronting the gang. 

    “He has directed that owners of the recovered sim cards be located with a view to assembling evidence for successful prosecution of the arrested suspects.”

  • Ex-ministers! ‘Druggage’; Niger Bridge

    President Buhari, welcome. Issue ‘All change’ to ministers -good or bad- go, while EFCC must initiate forensic investigations for the corrupt Judases. Nothing personal, just a common sense ‘change’ presidential anticorruption strategy. We have good new people- new minister materials to serve Nigeria 2019-2023. No one is indispensable.

    Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) are suffering too much abuse, rape, deprivation, uncertainty, financial and infrastructural menaces. Government wake up, serve your people.  You could be a refugee tomorrow.

    Nigerian security services work -when they want to. But they react, not prevent. Zainab Aliyu could have been executed. Her release indicts us all, informers and security. Abroad, the ‘Internal Affairs Department’ in security outfits prevents and detects internal crime with pre-emptive intelligence reports, investigation, punishment, prosecution on staff offenders.

    Did ICPC, EFCC not hear of this crime years ago? Today we are deaf to rumoured government pension office scam cartels extorting from pensioners. Are there not preventive measures like luggage counts? These people destroy electronic monitoring equipment.  Are other airports involved? How many other passengers have been traumatized by being wrongly caught, prosecuted, incarcerated and even executed? If Zainab had been executed, they would have loudly clicked their teeth watched the Breaking News and warned listeners not to carry drugs o! In the office they would have lamented loudly ‘Is that not the girl who passed through my duty post? And we did not suspect her o!!!!!’ Of course, they would have known what their failure has cost the drug provider and planned to plant drugged luggage or ‘Druggage’ on a new courier!  This crime should earn the guilty life incarceration. Zianab could have been executed! The media must have structured public awareness projects on such risks.

    International deaths in the Northern Castle, 15 soldiers killed Magumeri Borno, base overrun, weapons seized, kidnapping of Daura leader, UBEC chairman and 100s of serious incidents including murders of police scream impunity pointing to an army of sophisticated informed terrorists. Ore-Benin and Lagos Ibadan road are used to being terrorised and people were abandoned to extortionist police. Add Abuja-Kaduna Road! Remember the government then hardly ever cut the elephant grass to prevent rocks being thrown at vehicle windows. Now the problem is strangling the North by social media enlightened disgruntled talakawa implementing a rebellion or imported Fulani and ISIS militia. This is war. How many personnel and civilians must die? Our goal in any war should be the capture and surrender of the enemy which is not afraid of the police, armed forces or death. Why is there no attempt to limit the influx of terrorists across our border? We merely drive the enemy out from one place to another only for them to regroup, when we withdraw at night, for another counterattack!

    In this war, why do the police and the army go public with secret plans and announce to Boko Haram and marauding herder and road terrorists their python and scorpion operations in advance? Nigeria’s terrorists are not stupid. This is not a confrontational war. It is a hit and run, guerrilla, war. The first laws of war are deception, surprise and concealment of real plans. Does the armed forces want the bandit to flee to other states and come back when the army announces the operation’s end?

    We never see encircling activities to prevent an exit strategy which would capture the enemy. Instead we hear of confrontation allowing the terrorists a clear unmined exit route with no ambush. The terrorists just go away to terrorise another day. Amateur military historians of Alexander, Artemisia, Boudica, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Joan of Arc, Hannibal, Napoleon, Saladin, Queen Amina, Queen Mother Yaa Ashantewaa, Chaka Zulu know that security means S7 =SSSSSSS -Strategise, Surveillance, Scenarios, Surround, Surprise, Subdue, Subjugate! We are at war. Use ‘The Media Rules of War’. Value our courageous Nigerian armed personnel and do not put them in harm’s way. The media should act in a war mode. Their reports must not feed the enemy with intelligence. News items that endanger our soldiers endangers us all. No more warnings before the armed forces strike.  The terrorists also read the news media, have spies and witness troop movements.

    An innocent white Australian lady, Justine Damond, reported a crime, was shot dead for her trouble by police in Minneapolis, USA. Her family was awarded $20m, no substitute for life. Perhaps such punitive damages will reduce police violence. Who teaches them ‘shoot to kill’ like soldier vs soldier and not ‘shoot to maim’ like police vs civilian? What is awarded to the many ‘wrongful death’ African-American families? If we can pay politicians high pay and pension, Nigeria must raise the value of Nigerian life, and award its murdered victims’ families realistic punitive damages.

    Strangely our Supreme Court awarded a single contractor N132,000,000,000, at N360:1$ that is $366,666,666 and approves fines of billions of dollars for contraventions of regulations against wayward banks and conniving cellphone companies for financial impropriety. Murder perpetrated by security forces is a financial cyber, physical and mechanical, bullet attack terminating a corporate [bodily] person’s financial potential -a financial loss demanding compensatory awards for the surviving families.

    Hurray. The ghost is dead. The Second Niger Bridge, a concrete reality, no longer a mirage, is rising from the Niger River of ghost stories retold at each ‘election promise’and, 9th Assembly disruption aside, opening in 2023 according to vice president.

  • The allegory of 2nd Niger Bridge

    I was amused at the ignorance and mischief of some men who a few days from Christmas suffused Facebook with photographs of traffic jam on the Onitsha Bridge. They scowl in their usual manner that President Buhari was lying that he was constructing a Second Niger Bridge.

    For these fellows, the moment a project is announced to have commenced that means it is said to have been delivered.

    There was no insult and invectives they didn’t pour on the president and his party. Some even shot a video and in their crippled English ran a commentary saying all manners of inanities.

    If it were just about Onitsha Bridge, one would have forgiven these folks and attribute their condition to too much ingestion of propaganda poison from IPOB. This is however symptomatic of quite a good number of Nigerians understanding or lack of it of the workings of government.

    Before I go on, let me however differentiate these folks from the ones who have lost benefit.The top preacher who no longer gets free money from the state and whose income has dropped drastically from tithes due to the blockage of leakages by government. These elements are in the same boat with traditional rulers, business men, top civil servants, out of power and out of favour politicians as well as the young who grew up to adult under the 16 year of PDP regime and have come to think toil does not pay.

    This is understandable. Two American writers once put this in perspective. Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky in Leadership On The Line– Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading said of the phenomenon: “To lead is to live dangerously because when leadership counts, when you lead people through difficult change, you challenge what people hold dear- their daily habits,tools , loyalties, and way of thinking- with nothing more to offer perhaps than possibility”.

    Now the allegory.

    Some marauders enter a town. They set the houses on fire. Goaded by the local gin they looted all they could and raped every woman in sight. Some courageous elements in the community came out in their hundreds and chased the marauders away. The damage has however been done. The houses have been destroyed. The ones that didn’t get burnt were pulled down.

    The town decided it was time to rebuild. They called on an elder, a patriot to lead the process of reconstruction and rebuilding. The elder laid out the process of reconstruction. We must clear the debris, call an architect, builders and structural engineers to come up with a strong design that will not in the nearest future be susceptible to destruction. The experts took their time and came up with a design, which the majority if not all members of the community signed on to. Now time to look for the money. Efforts were made both within and outside to secure enough money for reconstruction.

    Then the foundation, a solid one for that matter was put in place and as this was going on a horde of young people and some who are only elders in gait and the grey hair they spot up rise up in arms.

    Many who were in their diapers when the destruction took place and who could not connect with the trust reposed in the elder to lead the reconstruction process armed themselves with stones and started hauling it at the elder. You promised us reconstruction of our homes destroyed. Where is the house now? Where is the beautiful edifice, they demanded to know.

    They could not reason that any edifice without a foundation is like a house built on quick-sand. It shall soon fall down and scatter. The community had thought that it was only the houses that were destroyed; the ability of many of the members of the community to reason properly also suffered some demolition. The communal river too was poisoned and every child that drank of the water became mentally stunted.

    This is the story of the Nigerians who could not reason properly that Nigeria has haemorrhaged badly under the military and 16 years of PDP has damaged it further almost irreparably.

    The construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge is going on as promised and as planned by the administration and so are other projects. The last time I heard the Minister of Works speak about this project, he explained that all of the years PDP talked about building the bridge there was no design and engineering drawing. That has since been achieved and concrete piling is ongoing to provide a solid foundation. The underwater foundation he said is of the height of a 12-storey building. All of this beyond what the ordinary citizen not involved in the construction can fathom or visible on the surface. Neither is a project like this nor any project at all conceived and completed overnight.

    Work is not ceasing at the 2nd Niger Bridge just as work has not ceased in finding solutions to all the problems bedevilling our country. Thirty nine billion naira, the minister said, was most recently disbursed to Julius Berger, the company handling the project. Berger is known to be a can do company.

    Similarly is Mambilla Plateau Dam that promises additional 7000 megawatts of power. Few days back, 16 companies awarded the contract for the Ogoni clean up were taken by the Minister of Environment to the location to be formally introduced to the traditional rulers as well as the Ogoni people.  We shall all marvel when by February, we are able to take a train ride in just 45 minutes from Lagos to Ibadan. This has immense implications for Lagos decongestion, development of estates along the corridor and the ease of transportation in the Lagos metropolis itself. You can live in Ibadan and work in Lagos. It will reduce your rent as well as your rest. By the time you are in the bosom of your wife, the man working in Victoria Island and living in Agege will still be struggling to negotiate his way through the intractable traffic on Third Mainland Bridge. By next year this project will inch its way to Osogbo and from Osogbo to my state in Ekiti, all the way to Kano. The one from Lagos to Calabar is on the drawing board, so is Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. Aladja to Warri is almost completed. All in less than four years. Imagine if Obasanjo and his hordes had done all of these in 16 years when we were awash with petro-dollars; the load on Mr President’s shoulder at this lean time would have been lighter

    Despite the less available he is making a commendable effort to do more.

    Baba may be slow as some alleged but he is steady. Which old and wisened man is not slow? The decisions I took some 25 years ago I will not take them today without subjecting them to rigorous reflection. That is the benefit of age, of experience.

    Add to this his integrity. The fast boys of yesterday only made away with our money to acquire private jets and Macmansions in choice areas across the world. The Panama Papers is replete with what they have taken from this country. More will come out about that soonest.

    Dear Compatriots it may take a lot of efforts, the stammerer will call Baba just as it may take some time, the hog will get from Badagry to Oyo. It didn’t take three years. The Singapore model we all loved to refer to took not three years but almost 35 years to bring into being.

    Bit by bit, block by block, window element by window element, President Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo are delivering on their promises. They are building the edifice. All that is required is for us to have faith, trust in them and be patient and they shall to the glory of God, and for the benefit of Nigerians, deliver an edifice that shall be a pride of Nigerians.

     

    • Ojudu is Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters.

  • South-East Governors want Second Niger Bridge ready in 24 months

    South-East Governors’ Forum on Wednesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the construction period of the Second Niger Bridge be reduced from 42 months to 24 months.

    Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi, Mr Dave Umahi, made the appeal when he spoke to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

    Umahi stated that members of the forum were at the Villa on behalf South-East people to thank the president for the award of the N206 billion contract of the Bridge.

    He said: “we came to thank the president on behalf of South-East for the award of the second Niger Bridge to Julius Berger at the sum of N206 billion.

    “We understand that N7 billion has been paid as mobilization.

    “So, we came to ask the president if there is the possibility of paying up to 50 per cent of the sum and secure the other 50 per cent as bond.”

    According to him, this is expected so that we can sleep with our two eyes closed and be assured that the job will not be abandoned.

    “We also asked that the construction period be reduced from 42 months to 24 months. We made it clear to Julius Berger that it is achievable.

    “We are also asking for economic free trade zone in Eyimba in Abia and he promised to come and commission it; the license has been given.

    The governor disclosed that the meeting also deliberated on the state of Enugu international airport, saying that the president was urged to ensure the completion of the cargo section of the airport and extension of the runway.

    “Of course, we talked about the geometric power plant in Aba and we asked him to assist in resolving whatever the issues are so that power will be deployed to the industrial clusters in Aba and environs.

    “We reminded him that the Enugu state government has done quite a lot on the issue of relocating major infrastructure that has been obstructing smooth operations of lives. We requested that he should take over the compensations of the affected lands.

    “And of course, the issue of gas distribution should be linked to the five eastern states, to the industrial clusters so as to boost economic activities,’’ he added.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who also spoke to the correspondents after the meeting, said the visit by the leaders was remarkable.

    He debunked the impression that the Federal Government was not doing enough for South-East people.

    He, therefore, pledged that the zone would continue to be accorded their appropriate place in the scheme of things.

    Mustapha reminded the people that their political investment in the re-election of Buhari in 2019 election would determine their fate in 2023.

    He said: “we received very high-powered delegation today led by the Deputy President of the Senate and three of their governors and a deputy governor, and the Director-General of Forum of South-East governors.

    “I think it is a remarkable visit because they came essentially to thank the president over the major activities that have taken place in the South-East.

    “They appreciate the fact that the second Niger Bridge was a paper issue in the last five, six decades.

    “They are convinced that the decision to complete the Niger Bridge is real; contract has been awarded by this government for N206 billion.

    “It is a mark of appreciation for the leadership that President Muhammadu Buhari is providing for this country.

    “The South-East is an integral part of this country; it must be accorded its appropriate place in the scheme of things and we believe strongly that this particular government has extended its hands of friendship to the South East.”

    He expressed hope that South-East leaders would continue to cooperate with the government to ensure the development of their people and bringing prosperity, peace and tranquility to the area.

    The SGF reiterated that the Buhari administration would continue to do everything possible to ensure speedy development of the zone as well as other parts of the country.

    On whether Buhari solicited the votes of the South-East at the meeting, Mustapha said:  “this obviously might not be most appropriate time.

    “You remember there was a programme in the South-East where the president asked me to represent him and I flew the kite by telling the Southeast states that their quickest and easiest means to presidency is to support Buhari’s second term.

    “This means that they can short-circuit the period in terms of only having him there for another four years.

    “Whatever they do in 2019 will determine what will happen thereafter because politics is a game of numbers and it is like a cooperative society.

    “Whatever you bring as an investment when dividends are going to be shared, you will get proportionate with your investment and your investment in politics is what you bring to the table.

    “I urge the Southeast to look at this matter seriously that every time we have a presidency in Nigeria, it is negotiated in several ways.

    “It is either negotiated by votes or what you bring to the table and you must negotiate from the position of strength. You can’t negotiate from the point of weakness.” (NAN)

  • FG determined to complete second Niger bridge soon-Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed has again reaffirmed the Federal Government determination to complete the second Niger Bridge.

    The minister also assured that funding will not be a problem for the project; stressing that government is not sleeping neither is it playing politics with the project.

    The Minister gave the assurance yesterday during an inspection tour of the second project.

    Addressing Journalists on the tour, the minister also expressed the determination of the current administration to complete all ongoing Federal Government projects across the country.

    Read Also:Fashola reassures on completion of Second Niger Bridge

    He also challenged those doubting government sincerity to go to the site and see the enormous work that is ongoing.

    Speaking at the Asaba end of the project, Mohammed stressed that the federal government wasn’t sleeping or politicising the project as the impact of the ongoing construction work will not be understood until finally completed.

    “Very soon the second Niger Bridge would be completed, and it would change the socioeconomic situation of the country. We are working in a creek, what people want to see is that bridge, and before you see it you must have done a lot of work.

    “The contract of the second Niger Bridge was awarded in 2014 by the last administration and nothing was done until 2016, and the Buhari administration funded the project. So far a lot has been done and in the next two years, passengers would not have to queue on the first Niger Bridge again.

    “The thing about this project is that, because of the alignment, people from the old bridge will say nothing is going on, you have come here and you can see a lot of work is going on and I am excited because with technology the challenges here are overcome. You could hear that in June/July the water level usually rises by 2-3meters and it’s not like the way we use to have casualties like before.

    “it is very important for naysayers to try and mislead people that nothing is being done on the second Niger bridge, but for what we have all seen today, clearly work is going on on the second Niger bridge.

    “I am happy that these are not project you could move over in two or three days. The complexity of this project is such that it is only the best that can handle it, and we have very competent hands working on it and the entire contract is over 11km. We can see the enthusiasm displayed among the workers,” said Mohammed.

    Earlier speaking, the Federal Commissioner of Works, Anambra State, Innocent Anumona while giving a progress report of the project to the minister said ”the second Niger bridge is 1.59km. The contractors have done a lot, they have completed the whole pile which is the foundation, and we have done 310piles amongst other things, what is remaining is the launch the bridge, which is the last stage.

    “These contract has been awarded and it is being carried out in phases, 1-4th phases. Phase 1-3 has been completed, and we are on the 4th phase.

    “By July, we should be ending the 4th phase of the second Niger bridge, the entire Foundation/pile of the bridge is 615 pieces.

  • Delta LG election: Travellers stranded as Niger bridge is shut

    Thousands of travellers from the Southeast heading towards Delta, Edo and the Southwest were stranded in Onitsha, Anambra State, for several hours yesterday.

    Reason: the River Niger bridge linking Asaba and Onitsha was closed to traffic on account of the local government election in Delta State.

    The bridge remained close till 3pm yesterday.

     

  • House queries funding of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge

    House queries funding of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge

    The House of Representatives is worried about the stalling of work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project.

    After a debate, the lawmakers demanded a full explanation from the Executive on how the project will be funded.

    The lawmakers also expressed misgiving about the pace of work and funding of the Second Niger Bridge linking the West to the East.

    They wanted to know whether the projects are to be fully-funded by the Federal Government or to be executed under a concession agreement with private firms.

    The House Committee on Works was mandated to investigate the nature of the contracts and concession arrangement and report back in four weeks for further parliamentary action.

    But the discussion did not make reference to the pending virement request by the Executive on the 2017 budget.

    The virement is meant to take back the money removed from the Lagos –Ibadan project to service constituency projects by the lawmakers.

    The resolution of the House followed the passage of a motion by Solomon Maren with the title: “Need to investigate nature of the contract or concession arrangement on Second Niger Bridge and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

    Moving the motion, Maren said the projects had not followed the established pattern of project execution and that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, recently warned on the possibility of both projects ending up as “white elephant” .

    Allocation for the projects in the 2017 budget were not adequate and they are not under concession agreement.

    He said: “Contracts for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge and reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road have continued to feature in the annual budgets without any seeming signal of their completion or the amount required to do so.”

    Maren, in response to a remark by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun said though two contractors were handling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Federal Government is yet to make up its mind on the funding arrangement for the two projects.

    Lasun, against the tradition of not debating infrastructure motions, gave the floor to the Chairman,  Committee on Works, Tobey Okechukwu, to speak on the issue.

    Okechuwku, who supported the motion, said it had become imperative for government to come up with a framework for the completion of the projects, adding that this stemmed from the observation of his committee that while the Lagos-Ibadan Road is “supposed to have alternative funding”,  the Federal Government had not made a clear-cut decision on the funding plan for the Second Niger Bridge.

    The lawmaker said the “piece-meal procurement” funding method hitherto employed by the government should be dropped.

    Mohammed Sani-Abdul, who also supported the motion, said despite litigation on the Lagos-Ibadan Road, work was still ongoing.

    He said the situation of the Second Niger-Bridge project is of great concern.

    The non-utilisation of the N14 billion 2016 budget allocation and the N10 billion allocated in 2017 for the Second Niger Bridge was worrisome based on the fact that the concession agreement for the project was between Federal Government and an international investment company, which later sub-contracted the project to Julius Berger Plc.

    With no contract between the Federal Government and Julius Berger, the construction firm cannot be directly funded through budgetary allocations for the project, Sani-Abdul’s said.