• “I am delighted that we are able to accomplish and commission this project even at the twilight of our administration.” – Buhari
• “Buhari is my hero, and I shed tears of joy today as I witness the successful completion and commissioning of this project by the Buhari administration.” -Uzodinma
• “Thank you, Julius Berger; you did a great job,” – Soludo
The inauguration of the Second River Niger Bridge evoked a sense of excitement that spread from Asaba to Onitsha and across the entire South East region on Tuesday, last week.
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, His Excellency, officially inaugurated the bridge as part of seven legacy projects, all commissioned by the President via zoom on the same day.
The vibrant ceremony took place on the bridge itself, at the Onitsha end of the project. It was attended by a distinguished gathering of prominent figures from the South East geopolitical zone, including Governors, Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, esteemed Senators, and First Class traditional rulers and Chiefs from Onitsha and Asaba Kingdoms.
Speaking virtually from the Executive Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Buhari, in his speech, emphasized that the construction of the Second River Niger Bridge was not a coincidence, but a deliberately conceived and meticulously executed project.
He stated that its purpose was to bring predetermined benefits to the people of the area and the country as a whole.
The President expressed his delight in accomplishing and commissioning the project, which he viewed as a deliberate choice made to combat poverty, generate employment, and improve the quality of life.
He highlighted that the Bridge and its associated roads were designed to boost the national economy, reduce travel time, and enhance the ease of doing business for users.
President Buhari proudly announced that every loan obtained by the Federal Government during his tenure as President was tied to beneficial and sustainable infrastructure projects.
He also noted that his administration had successfully doubled the nation’s infrastructure portfolio and increased the country’s GDP from 20% to 40% in eight years.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for his contributions to the successful realization of the Second River Niger Bridge.
The Honourable Minister of Works, Fashola, SAN, referred to the workers from Julius Berger as “nation-builders” and highlighted that the commissioning of the bridge had reduced travel time for motorists by 50%.
He also mentioned that property values along the bridge corridor and related roads had increased by approximately 30%.
However, the highlight of Fashola’s speech was his surprise announcement that the Federal Executive Council had named the bridge the “Muhammadu Buhari 2nd River Niger Bridge.”
This led to a playful exchange between President Buhari and Fashola, with the President affectionately calling him a “dictator.”
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State expressed his gratitude to the federal government and Julius Berger for the remarkable achievement.
He believed that the project would open up the South East and create opportunities comparable to New York and New Jersey in the USA.
Governor Soludo commended Julius Berger for an excellent and commendable job, and he bestowed upon President Buhari the title of “Mr. Infrastructure” due to his track record of delivering and inaugurating projects.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State echoed similar sentiments, expressing his admiration and tears of joy as he witnessed the successful completion and commissioning of the project by the Buhari administration.
He thanked President Buhari for his benevolence towards the Igbo people through the construction of the bridge, emphasizing that it not only connected Delta State to the South East but also united the entire old Eastern Region and opened doors to the outside world.
Governor Uzodinma also expressed gratitude to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for their outstanding engineering performance in constructing and delivering the Second River Niger Bridge.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, expressed immense gratitude to the federal government and all stakeholders for the opportunity to showcase the company’s professionalism.
He considered it a tremendous honor to be part of the success story of linking the East and West of Nigeria through the construction of the bridge.
Dr. Richter specifically thanked President Buhari, the Federal Government, Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning Hajiya Zainab, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Federal Controllers and Resident Engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works, and the Chiefs, elders, women, and youth of the host communities for their peaceful and productive cooperation during the construction.
Minister of Labour Dr. Chris Ngige, affectionately referring to President Buhari as “Ibu Ekuweme” (meaning “he who makes a promise and keeps it”), performed the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to officially declare the Second River Niger Bridge open for beneficial use.
This followed President Buhari’s remote inauguration of the bridge via zoom.
The first Niger Bridge, constructed in 1965, had served as a crucial link between the East and West over the years.
However, due to age, excessive axle load, and significant traffic congestion resulting from increased economic activities along the South-East/South-West transport corridor, the Federal Ministry of Works initiated and commenced the construction of the Second River Niger Bridge.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 10, 2014, signaling the start of this strategic national infrastructure project.
Phase 1 of the project spans from CH 23+000 on the Asaba side to CH 34+900 on the Onitsha side, with a total length of 11,900m.
This includes the construction of the approximately 1,600m Second River Niger Bridge, consisting of two lanes in each direction with a width of 30.10m.
The project also features two secondary bridges, an interchange on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, road works, toll stations with facilities, and electrical infrastructure.
The expressway, including the Niger Bridge, comprises two directions with three lanes each.
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