– The wait for the second Niger Bridge may soon be over
– This is due to a promise by the managing director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Uche Orji,
– Orji said contractors have been mobilised to return to site
The managing director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Uche Orji has raised fresh hope of the completion of the multi-billion naira Second Niger Bridge.
NSIA boss, Mr Uche Orji
Orji briefed journalists on Wednesday, February 22 on the long awaited bridge linking Asaba and Onitsha in Delta and Anambra states, respectively.
The NSIA boss admitted that some time was lost to transition in government but that the contractors had been mobilized to return to site, with assurances of accelerated work, especially with a new financing structure being worked out.
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His words: “The Second Niger Bridge, I would say, went through a phase where there was a pause, as we went through a kind of transition from one government to another.
“We have reconciled most of the issues and we are now working to get back on course with funding. I think the contractors have been mobilized once again and so they will get back to work.
“There is a new financing strategy which is being discussed, which we are driving along with the federal ministry of works. Once that is agreed, you will see a significant progress on that bridge in the next couple of years.”
Orji admitted that they lost time while trying to complete the transaction process, but said they are back on track.
“The financing structure is changing and once this is approved, we will move faster,” he added.
Orji stated that the government is still hopeful that the bridge will be completed by 2020, but added that he will be able to give a definitive answer in the next three months when the financing plan has been approved.
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On Saturday, January 31, the minister of labour and productivity, Senator Chris Ngige said the federal executive council had approved N14 billion to enable Julius Berger to commence work on the bridge.
The federal government had promised to spend a huge sum of money on the maintenance, restoration and repair of over 50 bridges in the country starting from this year.
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