Chidi Samuel
The Federal Government has awarded contract for early works on the Second Niger Bridge.
Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, the Assistant Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He stated that contract for the second Niger Bridge was awarded to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Ltd. at a total cost of N14.4 billion.
According to Abdullahi, the existing Niger Bridge, inaugurated on Jan. 4, 1966 had severely been overstressed, adding that its continued serviceability could not be assured.
He said that the idea of a Second Niger Bridge started way back in the late 1970s but its realisation is delayed by several challenges.
He added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was resolute to the completion of the projects.
The second Niger bridge has become a tool in the hands of politicians in the last couple years. The Peoples Democratic Party governments of Obasanjo,Yarad’ua and Jonathan at various times promised to award the contract for the construction of the bridge, a promise they all failed to keep.
