FG assumes control of 2nd Niger bridge, ensuring solar lights, CCTV, concession

The Federal Government has taken delivery of the finished Second Niger Bridge and emphasized the need of timely oversight of road construction.

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, received the finished 2nd Niger Bridge project and related facilities from the project’s contractor, Messr Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, at the 2nd Niger Bridge toll station.

Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, the Minister’s Chief Press Secretary, reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering long-lasting road infrastructure that meets world-class standards.

“We are here to take over the completed works of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on the 2nd Niger Bridge and some access roads,” he explained. We are pleased with the work done and the project circle that was completed during the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We thank President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediate predecessor, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola, CON, SAN, who was the Hon. Minister of Works who oversaw this project.”

*The job is flawlessly lovely and well-done.”
Umahi noted that, in line with Mr. President’s new road infrastructure innovations, his Ministry will endeavor to assure the installation of solar-powered lighting along the length of the completed project, as well as the completion of the two bridge interchanges.

He also stated that he plans to purchase more land through the state government in order to build service stations and improve road safety by installing CCTV cameras.

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He went on to say that the ministry also intends to concession the project through the HDMI program.

“We have the light issue, and we will work together on how to have light permanently along the completed road, especially at night, and we have agreed on a solar solution.” When we finish the two interchanges, the road project will be completed.

“One is to take road users out of Asaba town so that if you come to this bridge, you don’t have to go through Asaba town to encounter vehicular traffic, and the other is to take road users out of Onitsha town to avoid traffic, and when this is done, the entire job will be said to be fully completed.” The positions have been recommended for Julius Berger and RCC.

“However, if we find an investor willing to fund the two interchanges, we will concession the two projects to such investor under our HDMI program, and we will acquire more land here so that we can establish service stations, and we will get the private sector to build hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, filling stations, and other facilities for public use, as we see in the Western world.”

“And of course we are going to ensure security surveillance along the road through the installation of CCTV cameras and deployment of security personnel so that within this axis you can have access to security within the shortest possible time” he told reporters.

The minister also stated that, while the Federal Government would take over the completed 2nd Niger Bridge, the contractor will still be liable throughout the defect liability period, and if anything goes wrong with the completed construction, the contractor will be called upon to remedy it.

He stated that the toll would be triggered after the two interchanges were fixed.

Engr. Obioha, Director Bridge Design and Construction, Federal Ministry of Works, commended the Federal Government in his remarks for working tirelessly to secure the project’s completion.

He stated that the Ministry worked well with the contractor to ensure that the project was completed on time, and he hoped that the public would support this Federal Government’s efforts by following the rules of the road and helping to ensure the safety and protection of the installations along the road.
Dr Las Ritcher, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, stated that the bridge was commissioned by the previous administration but that a technical handover to the Federal Ministry of Works was required, thus the handover ceremony.

He expressed hope that the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Sen. Umahi, who is known for his preference for excellent job delivery, will be satisfied with the work done.

“He has seen what Julius Berger has delivered to the highest quality,” he remarked. I believe he is satisfied, and as of tomorrow, we can declare it is no longer our project; it is now the project of the Federal Ministry of Works. I am glad to give over to the client and know that he will be able to operate the road, including the toll station.”

It should be noted that the contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc is for the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge connecting Anambra and Delta States, Contract No. 6475, and the construction of an access road from the existing Benin-Asaba Expressway to the approach link road to the 2nd Niger Bridge, Contract No. 7919.

In a related development, the minister paid an inspection visit to the project site of CGG Nig. Ltd on the contract for the Rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 111: Enugu- Lokpanta 61.15 km route.

The Minister also paid a visit to the collapsed New Artisan bridge on the NNPC Mega Filling Station Enugu-PH Expressway in Enugu State. Work at such places is proceeding and is expected to be completed in record time.