The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the recent transfer of the Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government of Nigeria, following its completion.
The Second Niger Bridge, linking Southeastern Nigeria to other regions, was implemented through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with NSIA acting as both Fund and Project Manager.
The scope of the Second Niger Bridge project involved the construction of a 1.6km concrete box-girder bridge over the River Niger, construction of two (2) secondary bridges at Amakon Village Road and Atani Road of 21.7m each, construction of a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha – Owerri Road and construction of 10.3km approach roads from Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State.
Additionally, a temporary link road, approximately 2.4km long, was constructed from the Asaba end of the Bridge to the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, enabling immediate bridge operation until the completion of the two 17.5km connecting approach roads.
PIDF was established by the Presidency in 2018 to accelerate certain critical and strategic infrastructure projects to catalyze socio-economic advancement in Nigeria. Projects under the PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and Abuja – Kano Road.
The NSIA collaborated with stakeholders such as the Presidency and federal Ministries of Works, Finance, and Justice to fulfill both the technical and financial requirements of the project.
NSIA said the Second Niger Bridge will boost economic activities by expanding access into the Southeastern part of Nigeria, generating employment opportunities, and improving road safety along the corridor.
The Authority takes great pride in serving as both the Fund and Project Manager for this strategic infrastructure project as it validates the trust reposed in NSIA by the Presidency.
‘Furthermore’, the Authority noted, “it aligns with our over-arching objective to stimulate socio-economic development in Nigeria by developing critical infrastructure of national significance.”
Speaking at the recent handover of the bridge, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the Managing Director & CEO, NSIA emphasized that ‘the transfer of the Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government of Nigeria represents a significant achievement for the NSIA, as it aligns “with our commitment to effectively execute large scale complex projects that positively impact socio-economic conditions for present and future generations of Nigerians.”
Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, also expressed satisfaction with the project. He noted that the Second Niger Bridge is ‘impeccable, very beautiful and well completed’.
Picture: The completed bridge