December 4, 2023 NewsOrient

Julius Berger, the construction company handling the Second Niger Bridge, has formally handed over the multi-billion naira project to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a brief ceremony at toll area of the bridge, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, expressed satisfaction with the project, confirming that the contractor had carried out repairs on the vandalized portions, reports Channels TV.

He also noted that the bridge is open to concession to any private company who would be ready to complete all the ancillary roads, collect tolls and recoup investments.

Umahi hinted that modalities to ease traffic at the old and new bridges during the festive period are being worked out.

The 1.6 kilometers long bridge links Anambra and Delta states.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the then candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

During the administration of Shagari and subsequent governments, the construction of the bridge remained a major topic for political and economic debate.

With the formal handover of the project to the federal government, it is believed that it’s use will ease traffic in the area and boost Nigeria’s economy.

~ NewsOrient