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.
Courtesy: nairaland news
Broadcast by Obele Calistus