Work begins on 2nd Niger Bridge as FG to refund Anambra N45 Billion

www.odogwublog.com reports that indications emerged weekend that work will continue at the 2nd Niger Bridge even as the Federal Government is concluding arrangements to refund the Anambra state Government forty five thousand naira (N45B) spent rehabilitation of some federal roads.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola who gave the reassuring news in Anambra weekend said all arrangements have been concluded for contractors to return to site.
The Minister went on inspection of work at the 2nd Niger Bridge where he said the federal Government is committed in delivering the bridge to ease off load on the old bridge.
Before the visit the 2nd Niger Bridge appeared abandoned by the Federal Government and the contractor Julius Berger had moved out of site but with the visit of the minister, there is hope.
The 2nd Niger Bridge with 42.4km may be longer than the world’s longest bridge in China has three phases of construction with a total of 44kms, It will cost N108 Billion under PPP even as the Federal Government under former President Goodluck Jonathan had committed N30B.
The first Niger Bridge was built in December 1965 by a French construction firm Dumez and has been overburdened by heavy weight and has been nightmarish for road users especially during festivities.
Fashola commended the Obiano administration for its intervention on failed Federal Roads, adding that the Federal government is mindful of its debt and is presently working out modalities for the reimbursement.
Mr Fashola emphasized that the Federal Government is not in competition with any state administration and is committed to supporting the states realize their lofty developmental objectives.
He stressed the need for the state to work closely with the Federal Controllers in their various States, towards the successful completion of Federal government's projects.
He said work will start soon at the Sight and Services Land at Amansea for Housing projects for federal workers and that federal government would meet state’s obligation for the commencement of Federal projects in the state.
Earlier, Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano thanked the minister on his working visit to Anambra state to inspect on-going federal projects.
Governor Obiano extended profound gratitude to President Mohammadu Buhari for the renewed attention to the southeast in terms of project execution in the area adding that it is the wish of south -Easterners that the federal government will not slowdown in its commitment to the zone.
Governor Willie Obiano has stressed the need for increased federal presence in the South-East geo-political zone to give Ndigbo a sense of belonging in the country’s governance.
The Minister who was in the state to inspect ongoing Federal Government projects has been on a tour of the five South-Eastern States since mid-last week.
Governor Obiano who noted that the Southeast geo-political zone, is marginalized in Federal Government’s infrastructure, said the development has resulted in the people's loss of confidence in the ability of the government at the center.
The Governor, however expressed delight that the Federal government is responding to the Housing needs of the State citizenry and is presently clearing the parcel of land his administration provided at Isiagu in Awka South Local Government Area for the construction of Housing units and assured that the State government will consider constructing the road leading to the Housing Project.
He also thanked the Federal Government for including the Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in the contract subsisting from Enugu to Awka and urged the Federal government to expedite the processes of reimbursing the state the forty-three billion naira it spent in reconstructing Federal roads across the state to enable his administration tackle the numerous road projects currently ongoing across the state.