President Jonathan Breaks Ground For Second Niger Bridge

 The president said the project will cost N117 billion.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State. The President said the bridge would cost N117 billion.
The President said to ensure timely delivery of the project, the Federal Government has made a commitment to contribute 25 per cent of the construction cost, about N30 billion.

While speaking at the occasion, Mr. Jonathan said the project, which is to be handled by Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, has been set in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, and the Public Procurement Act.
He said everything necessary has been done to ensure its success considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations.
“The Federal Government is executing this project under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concession period of 25 years, precisely, through a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model.
“We are confident in the capacity and competence of the Concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, to deliver on this project, at the construction cost of about N117 billion Naira,” he said.
Mr. Jonathan recalled that the project was part of his electoral campaign promises in 2011 and thanked the outgoing Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and all the people and host communities for their patience, understanding, support and cooperation in the realisation of the commencement of the project.
“As we commemorate our centenary of nationhood, it is my firm belief that this bridge will deepen national integration and also enhance economic and social interaction among other parts of our country and the South-East,” the president said.
“As part of our administration’s Transformation Agenda in the road sector, we have set out to construct two very important new bridges, across our Nation’s two great rivers – the River Niger and River Benue.These are the Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nasarawa and Benue States,which is progressing satisfactorily, and this 2nd Niger Bridge, connecting Anambra and Delta States.
“The 2nd Niger Bridge, whose foundation we are laying today, represents a strategic national infrastructure, with great socio-economic prospects for the contiguous States, and indeed, for the entire Nation. It is an important economic artery that will connect the great markets of Onitsha and Aba, as well as the industrial hub of Nnewi and beyond, to both the Northern and Southern parts of our country.
“On completion, this