The Federal Government says the second Niger bridge project has reached 95 percent completion and is expected be ready for use by the beginning of 2024.
The Ag. Controller of Works in Anambra and Engineers’ representative on the project, Seyi Martins disclosed this when members of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) visited the site.
According to Martins, the first phase of the project, which is the bridge itself, has substantially been completed and that what is left is the final asphalt surfacing on the Asaba end carriageway lane.
“The bridge project is 95 percent complete and it is expected to be delivered by the end of December 2022 but there is a second phase which is a 3.3km road approach on the Delta side and 7km of approach road on the Anambra side that is yet to commence.”
He explained that asphalt wearing course had been fully laid on Onitsha bound carriageway lane and that every other thing about the bridge, including the streetlights, the handrails, the parapet wall had been done.
Mr Martins said the length of bridge was about 1.7km parallel to the first bridge, three dual carriageway with three lanes on both sides measuring about 1.6km in length, and the total length of the project was 11.9km.
He said the roads are set for vehicle traffic; the toll plaza area is also almost completed, what is left is the installation of toll booth canopies.
“The second phase of the project is yet to commence, but the government has deemed it fit that upon completion of the first phase it will be open to traffic.”
The Controller said: “At the Onitsha end, there is an interchange at Oba, where you can access the bridge and on the Asaba end, there is a link road we are constructing to enable travelers access the bridge from Benin-Onitsha road.”
Victor Meju, chairman of COREN in Anambra, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done so far and the engagement of indigenous engineers in carrying out of the project.
“What we have observed today is impressive. We are happy that our members, local engineers, were generously used in this project,” Mr Meju said
He equally expressed appreciation to the “Federal Government, the government of Anambra and Delta states for their efforts at seeing that the project came this far; we are confident that the bridge will increase the business activities in the area.”
The COREN Chairman thanked the contractor, Julius Berger PLC for engaging young and experienced engineers and allowing them to use the project to deepen and broaden their knowledge of the profession
“COREN is happy that the contractor, Julius Berger has done some palliatives in some places and also employed our colleagues in the course of executing this project.
“I must say that it is not enough, Julius Berger must do more; right from their office, the road is bad; we expect that they should have some Kilometres of road done by them with their name engraved on it to show they were here,” he said.
NAN