FG takes over delivery of finished second Niger bridge, promises 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, accepted the handover of the completed 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 provide long-lasting road infrastructure that meets international standards.

“We are here to take over Julius Berger Nigeria Plc’s completed works 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

“We thank President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediate past administration for doing a lot to bring this project to fruition, as well as my predecessor, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola, CON, SAN, who was the Hon. Minister of Works who handled this project.”

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

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

He further claimed that the ministry intends to concession the project through the HDMI program.

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

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

“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 work with the private sector to build hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, filling stations, and other public-use facilities like 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 went on to say

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

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

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

He stated that the Ministry worked well with the contractor to complete the project 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 infrastructure 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, hence the handover ceremony.

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

“He has seen what Julius Berger had delivered to the highest quality,” he stated. I believe he is satisfied, and as of tomorrow, we can declare it is no longer our project; it is now the Federal Ministry of Works’ project. I am glad to pass over to the client and know that he will be able to run 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 second Niger Bridge connecting Anambra and Delta States, Contract No. 6475, as well as the construction of an access road from the existing Benin-Asaba Expressway to the approach link road to the second Niger Bridge, Contract No. 7919.

In a related development, the minister paid a visit to the CGG Nig. Ltd project site 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 Enugu State’s NNPC Mega Filling Station Enugu-PH Expressway. Work on such places is currently underway and is expected to be completed in record time.