History was on Thursday made as the Second Niger Bridge opened for vehicular movements a little past 9.00 am. The Federal Government had assured that the bridge would be opened at 12am. The delay, however, was said to be a result of some adjustments on the roads linking the bridge.
Excited commuters urged the federal government to ensure its completion before it exits in May next year. One of the commuters who identified himself simply as Eze, said “It is a reality, though it is not 100 percent complete, so far what we are seeing is impressive. We commend the present administration and we hope they complete it based on the time frame.”
Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, last week assured that the Second Niger Bridge would be open to traffic for a period of one month from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023, to ease the experience of travellers during Yuletide break.
The 1.6 kilometers long bridge links Anambra and Delta states.
The Second Niger Bridge, over the years, became a subject of campaigns by politicians and political parties. But subsequent administrations, always find a way to ignore it.
However, after many years of waiting and agitation by the people of South East, President Goodluck Jonathan, in March 2014, flagged off the construction of the bridge by laying the foundation stone to link Asaba in Delta State with Onitsha in Anambra State.
The project which is being handled by construction giant, Julius Berger Plc, was inherited by the Muhammadu Buhari administration and he made it one of his priority projects.
