Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Uche Orji, on Saturday began an inspection of the second Niger Bridge project.
The minister who made the commendation shortly after inspecting the project in company of top government officials on Saturday, described the second Niger bridge as a very significant project for the Federal Government.
She said the government attached so much importance to the Bridge project because of the huge developmental impact which it would have on the lives of Nigerians.
Expressing satisfaction on the pace and quality of the job done by both the NSIA and Julius Berger, the Minister said, “Today is a very significant day in the construction circle of the second Niger bridge, this is one of the most iconic projects in the country costed at an initial contract cost of N205bn.
“Today, we have been able to fund this project with N157bn and I’m here to see where all this money is going to. And also, the significance of today is that the two ends of the bridge are being put together and this is the final phase of the work in truly competing the project and the finishing work of the bridge.
“So technically, I can report to Mr President that I have seen where all the N157bn has gone to. This is a project that is very dear to the President and it is designed to uplift the lives and livelihood of the people of the South-East and other parts of the country and we do hope that when this project comes on stream, it will ease traffic, will enhance commercial activities and improve the lives of the people of the state.
“And also, I am happy to see the ladies I am seeing at the construction site, not all men. Julius Berger has brough some very unique innovations in the construction of this project and I want to on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria applaud the skills of the construction workers that have been working on this site.”
Ahmed said that through the project, the federal government has been able to create about 20,000 jobs at the construction site.
She added, “This project has been going on 24/7 and people are working in shift and people that are working within here are within the surrounding states. Jobs have been created up to about 20,000 people are working on this project.
Speaking on the funding structure of the project, the NSIA MD said that the second Niger bridge is one of the three projects being funded from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
The other two projects are the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project and the Lagos-Ibadan express road project.
Orji said, “The PIDF is a special fund set up by PMB managed by the NSIA. The NSIA brought some of its own capital and the capital provided by FG and the capital from return loot from Sani Abacha.
“So, when you said PPP, it is the NSIA and the partnership of the federal government and NSIA is the one coordinating the fund from investors. So, as it stands now, it is purely the NSIA and the federal government that is the face of the project today.
“The NSIA is an investment institution owned by all the states, the federal and local government and other shareholders of the NSIA. So that is the nature of the project.
“In terms of other people that will invest in the project, they will come under the NSIA coordination.”
On compensation for the people whose lands were affected by the project, Orji said a significant portion of the compensation has been settled by the government.
He said more assessment is still being made with a view to compensating those that will still be affected as the project progresses.
“Regarding compensation, this is an ongoing affair, we ‘ve paid significant sums earlier and there are still some more compensations to be made to some areas as we continue work.
“As you can see, the bridge itself is 11.9 kilometers, there is still 17 kilometers of road on this side and the Asaba end of the road that will be paid.
“Assessment is still being made for compensation but I can assure you is that the directive we have from the president and from the minister and our board is that adequate compensation is paid to everyone who is affected.
On whether the completion date is still feasible based on the progress of work done, the NSIA Boss expressed optimism that the project will be completed on schedule.
He said, “What we ‘ve seen on ground is very important. April 2 for us marks the end of civil work of the bridge and we needed to leave here today.
“And as you can see, casting is going on at the moment. So, it’s a very iconic period for us and it is unique because of the timing of the finance minister who came and witnessed it.
“So, this is a day we should remember because after this, in few hours, people can drive through it. And that marks the completion of the civil works and from here, it remains the finishing touches. So, this is very important.”
In his brief remarks at the event, the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr Gilbert Ibezim said the state government is very excited about the pace of work done so far.
He said, “This is one of the projects that we are excited about. This bridge will be used by us all and I am happy to see the rate of work as it is going. We urge the federal government that they should stick to the October timeline delivery period.”
The Second Niger Bridge project also involves the construction of 3.3km approach road on the Asaba side and 7.0km approach road on the Onitsha side of the main bridge, scheduled for completion in October 2022, toll plaza at CH25+700 consists of 8 lanes in each direction, scheduled for completion in October 2022, and Site clearing of the Right of Way (RoW) including the removal of all bush, trees and shrubs.
The construction work for the project also includes soil improvement including soil exchange, geotextile as a filter layer, geotextile for base reinforcement, prefabricated vertical drains (PVD), geotextile Encased Sand Columns (GEC) and geotextile for base reinforcement.
Upon completion, the project will offer significant socio-economic benefits for the contiguous states and indeed the entire nation by easing traffic flow, improving road safety, and creating greater opportunities for residents and neighboring states, thereby regenerating economic life.
The Approach Roads will drive traffic to the bridge via two 17.5km approach roads on either side of the bridge and enhance the project’s viability.
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