*The Federal Government Thursday, December 15 opens the 2nd Niger Bridge to vehicular movements in a bid to improve the experience of travellers during the Yuletide break in the South-East region of the West African country

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to an earlier announcement to activate the new multi-billion Naira road infrastructure in the South-East, the Federal Government Thursday, December 15, 2022, opened the 2nd Niger Bridge to vehicular movements.

The government opened the historic bridge to traffic at exactly 9:50a.m.聽 Thursday, though there had been assurances that the bridge would be opened at 12a.m. on the day, Channels TV report said.

Vehicular movements commence on the new bridge Thursday, December 15

Quoting a government official on the official opening of the facility, the delay was occasioned by some little adjustments on the roads linking the bridge.

2nd Niger Bridge now a reality: Motorists

Expressing delight over the development, Sunday Emem, the ever first driver to pass through the newly-opened bridge,聽 expressed his delight.

Emem said: 鈥淚 feel so happy; at least it will reduce the hold-up. We鈥檝e stayed over one hour at the other bridge.”

Obinna Eze, the second driver to pass through the bridge, urged the present administration to complete the entire project before May 2023.

Eze also stated: 鈥淚t is a reality, though it is not 100% complete; so far what we are seeing is impressive.

“We commend the present administration and we hope they complete it based on the time frame.鈥�

It is recalled that Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Honourable Minister for Works and Housing, recently disclosed that the 2nd Niger Bridge would be opened to traffic from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023, to improve the experience of Nigerian travellers during Yuletide break in the region of the country.

The 1.6-kilometer long bridge links Anambra and Delta states.

The 2nd Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

However, the country’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), August 2012, during former President Goodluck Jonathan鈥檚 administration approved a contract worth N325 million for the final planning and design of the bridge.

However, a somewhat complicated procedure continued under President Muhammad Buhari, who first cancelled the earlier contract awarded August 2015.

The current administration later reactivated the contract September 1, 2018, according to report.

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