FG Has So Far Spent N10bn On 2nd Niger Bridge — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government
has spent N10 billion on construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge
out of the N130 billion total cost of the project.
The President disclosed this when he stopover at the project’s
site in Asaba on Saturday on his way to PDP campaign in
Onitsha, Anambra.
Jonathan said it was a big project being executed under a
Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He said that now that it had taken off, its execution would go
on smoothly and uninterrupted through to 48 months
completion period.
“So far, out of the N130 million total cost of the project, we
have spent about N10 billion.
“It is a big project and now that it has taking off, it will go on
smoothly through the 48 months completion time.
“The project is a PPP arrangement, I am quite impressed with
what I have seen”, he said.
He added that most components required for the construction
had been procured and piling work had commenced.
Mr Mike Onolomemen, Minister of Works said a lot had been
done since the flag off of the project in March 2014.
Onolememen said the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria,
was engaged because of its antecedents, adding that almost
all the procurements for the construction of the bridge were
imported.
According to him, works are in progress with the piles being
driven into the ground and dredging going on along the River
Niger.
“For us, it is a thing of joy and certainly before the next raining
season, a lot of piles would have been driven in. No doubt,
development of infrastructure takes a long time.”
Mr Detler Lubasch, Managing Director, Julius Berger, said
work on the project would be sustained.
Lubasch said the project would be of enormous social and
economic benefits and significance to the country.
The President was accompanied to the project site by former
Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra, among other dignitaries.