By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka AFTER years of uncertainty, work has finally begun for the construction of the controversial 2nd Niger Bridge that would link the South –South and the South East geo political zones to support the existing one. Following a statement by the minister of labour and employment, Senator Chris Ngige Saturday in a television programme in Onitsha, that the federal executive council had approved N14 billion to enable Julius , the contractor handling the project, to commence work, Saturday Vanguard visited the site and found out that there were serious signs that work would begin in earnest.

Some people, who looked like construction workers were seen yesterday, surveying the area where former President Goodluck Jonathan performed the ground- breaking ceremony during the twilight of his administration. Many job seekers were also seen in the area, although there was nobody to attend to them yet. The bridge had been enmeshed in politics over the years such that it had remained on the drawing board for a period that spanned several administrations. Ngige had said during the television interview that in addition to the N14 billion, the federal government would release another N16 billion this year for the construction of the bridge, adding that the amount was accommodated in the 2017 budget. He said that the redesigned bridge would have a railway line that would connect Asaba in Delta State with Onitsha in Anambra State to ease the pressure of heavy duty vehicles using the bridge to transport goods. However, one nagging issue facing the project is the payment of compensation to people whose property would be affected by the bridge. Though arrangement for the compensation had been made, Ngige urged the people not to stand in the way of the project by making what he called unnecessary demands. “This is a project that previous administrations played politics with and the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to ensure its realization. Our people should not allow the issue of compensation to hinder the construction work because of its enormous benefits to the people,” the minister said. He said that apart from the 2nd Niger Bridge, work had also started on the Enugu-Onitsha and Nnewi- Okigwe federal highways, as well as the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/last-work-begins-2nd-niger-bridge/

I know Mr president as a sincere man

God bless Muhammadu Buhari

God bless federal Republic of Nigeria

The work sef never start.. Nigeria no fit tell you in certainty "work has started"

By 2019, the entire SE states would vote APC because of 2 reasons.

1. The SE can never survive opposition politics. All their leaders are already prostrating to Buhari.

2. The FG projects in the region.

In any case, e no consign me. Good luck to the good people of SE Nigeria.

Alright na

Sai BUHAR!

Baba you are God sent

This year everyone will attest to your great work

Thank you sire

Long live Muhammadu Buhari

God bless you sir

I'll believe this news only when work commence on the site.
At this point, I don't have an atom of trust in any Nigerian govt given that the helm of leadership is being occupied by a bunch of liers and thieves

this will kill afonjas expecially ndi Yoruba
.
I can't wait for 2019 to say this to baba one chance
.
.
the poster above is an afonja onye ofem.manu

I though it has been going on since the last administration

It is a lie.

Another APC propaganda.

In terms of infrastructure and road network give it to BRF, Mr Fashola I trust him as a minister of Works.
God Bless Nigeria
God Bless Buhari

Hey

For real?

ok

Dis bridge sef! Too much talk don come out from am yet nothing!

So?

Who are they fooling ..... We all knw d Money has been embezzled even before allocating it for the bridge

This government just woke up. Anyways good job!

GOD BLESS you Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Begins or RESUMES?

Some good news to use chop my bread.

Propaganda....


Relieve my people from suffering Buhari.. .











Youth on Nairaland support me for the next president