Naomi Gabriel —
The Nigerian Minister of Works and Housing yesterday in Abuja, at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting revealed that construction works at the Second Niger Bridge was almost complete.
Fashola disclosed this while reiterating the commitment of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to see the completion of the bridge before his tenure elapse next May.
This came as FG said that reports from commuters using the East-bound axis of the new bridge were very positive as motorists are having smooth drive across the bridge since it was opened a week ago.
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The 59 year old Minister, while speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, presided over by President Buhari, Abuja, said job on the multi-billion naira new bridge would have been complete if not for the disruption of work caused by the sit-at-home order enforced in the South East end of the bridge by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He explained that the sit-at-home being observed on Mondays is causing delay on the project as the contractors have lost many man hours, adding that those lost days were responsible for the delay in the completion of the project.
He said that the remaining work in both the Obosi and Asaba sides of the bridge were progressing well, pointing out that the project despite the delay would be completed and commissioned before the end of the present administration on May 29, 2023.
“I am certain that the 2nd Niger Bridge will be completed and commissioned before the end of this administration, Fashola said.
“The work remaining to be done on the main bridge is just road markings, fixing of signs and fittings. It is completed if I may say, hence, it is being put to temporary use now.
“From the Obosi side in the Eastern part, work is on-going on the adjoining roads and would have been completed if not for the sit-at-home order on Mondays which has slowed the pace of work.
“Also, from the Asaba end of the bridge, you can see the stockpiling of sand and because it’s a marshy area, after sand-filling, you allow the land to dry up. So, we are doing the pre-fabricated stockpiling and soon the works will be completed”.
