Julius Berger, the contractor for the Second Niger Bridge, has officially handed over the Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government.
The bridge, which is 1.6 kilometers long and is estimated to cost N336 billion, connects Anambra and Delta states.
The project began on May 23, 2023, but ancillary roads and other construction work remained necessary after the opening.
In a brief ceremony held over the weekend at the bridge’s toll booth, Minister of Works Dave Umahi expressed his support for the project.
Minister Umahi said that the bridge concession is open to private companies that are prepared to complete all roads associated with the bridge, collect tolls, and recoup their investments.
He said, “The roads will be completed once the two interchanges are completed, one leaving the city of Asaba to cut off traffic, and the other by Reynolds Construction Co. to avoid the city of Onitsha and go straight to Obosi.”
Meanwhile, Lars Richter, president of Julius Berger Nigeria, said the handover is technical.
‘The main Second Niger Bridge has been completed. The toll booths are also ready for use.
The idea of building the Second Niger Bridge was proposed in 1978-79 by Shehu Shagari, then a candidate of the Nigerian National Party (NPN). Subsequently, other governments have attempted to build it, but have failed to make it a reality.
The bridge opened to traffic on December 15, 2022. A temporary route has been set up to accommodate the ongoing construction of a connecting road, ensuring access to the bridge during the Christmas vacations. Currently, there is no toll to cross the bridge.