At 44km,it'll be the longest bridge in the world!
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This is to clear the air about all the falsehood flying around,peddled by liars including their blind Igbo stooges who are ignorant of what's happening in their domain.
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The truth is that the bridge does not serve the South-East more than it serves the South-South and South-West that have direct link to it. I am afraid that if this bridge is branded an Igbo project, it would be treated like everything belonging to the Igbo. The bridge should be left to the Federal Government and the international investors to realise the project.

The first Onitsha-Asaba Niger Bridge was completed in December 1965. Built by the French construction giant Dumez, the bridge linked the defunct Eastern and Western regions of Nigeria. Today, it is the major corridor of trade between the South-East, South-South, South-West and North-Central zones. At the time the bridge was conceived, Nigeria was mainly an agrarian economy. Thus, the bridge served as the avenue for transporting different agricultural products – palm produce, timber, rubber, etc. Prior to the construction of the bridge, these commodities were ferried across the River Niger between Onitsha and Asaba using canoes.

Owing to rapid economic development and population growth, pressure began to mount on the bridge, especially during festive periods. The bridge has been overstretched beyond its capacity. There is apprehension that the bridge might collapse with catastrophic consequences to lives and property. To forestall such disaster, the idea of a Second Niger Bridge was conceived.

The Second Niger Bridge was on the drawing board for many decades. Successive administrations in the country paid lip service to its construction. It was President Goodluck Jonathan that flagged off the construction of the bridge and actual work started. To that extent, it is wrong to accuse Jonathan of lying to Ndigbo about the bridge. Jonathan thought that he would win a second term during which he could complete the bridge. But he lost the election. The history of the bridge cannot be written without mentioning him.

The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre-Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres. With this length, the Second Niger Bridge will surpass the world’s longest bridge in China (42.4km), to become the world’s longest bridge!

The project is being constructed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. A Consortium JB-NSIA, is working on the project on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT), at a total cost of N108 billion. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) reviewed the concessionaire’s cost of N138 billion down to N108 billion. The project phases will be constructed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW).

The Federal Government committed to contribute N30 billion (28%) of the project cost. The remaining 72% will be raised by the Consortium under a 25-year concession. The Federal Government has so far committed N18.31billion. Out of this, N10.4 billion has been disbursed leaving a balance of N7.94 billion. A team of local and international consultants was engaged through a rigorous and competitive procurement process. The NSIA has spent the sum of $2.21 million on consultancy and another $247,586 on due diligence to determine project viability. The first-class advisory services are required to enable the project reach financial close – the point at which private capital is successfully raised.

Based on reliable information, work has not stopped on the bridge. It could be said that work has slowed down because of the rainy season that naturally stalls engineering construction work. Preliminary physical works have been completed. By December 2015, the final phase of the early works will be completed. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is being done to meet the highest international standards to make the project eligible for long-term financing by local and international financial institutions. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is reviewing the Full Business Case (FBC) and Draft Concession Agreement (CA). Once the ICRC approves the FBC, the CA will be signed and the Consortium will then raise the remainder of the project capital.

President Buhari has stopped work on the project. It is in the country’s interest to hold onto this project because any review will definitely raise the cost owing to the depreciation of the naira. The cost of the project was reached at the exchange of N154/$. Now the naira exchanges at N197/$. I can appreciate that Nigerians want to see a second bridge across the River Niger. People should calm down. The bridge project has a development and completion time-frame four years from financial close – point at which private capital is successfully raised. This point has not reached, meaning that count down for the bridge is yet to
start.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/09/the-second-niger-bridge-facts-and-figures/

The bridge is going to be 1,590 meters long. The connecting road is going to take the remaining.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-jonathan-kicks-construction-2nd-niger-bridge/

There is also dispute over the total length of the connecting road as the article I posted says it will be about 11.9km long.

How can it be 42Km? How long is the width of the Niger?

Mynd44:
The bridge is going to be 1,590 meters long. The connecting road is going to take the remaining.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-jonathan-kicks-construction-2nd-niger-bridge/

There is also dispute over the total length of the connecting road as the article I posted says it will be about 11.9km long.

How can it be 42Km? How long is the width of the Niger?

the OP is clearly CLUELESS

The second Niger bridge project was put together by the GEJ administration, and no one can take it away from him. The PDP, for whatever strategic reason, known to them, chose to cede power to the APC, and so allowed all the unintelligent lies told against them. Everyone, knew that work had commenced on the Niger, but there was a sort of opaque journalism on the situation of the project. Now, the shroud covering the project has been torn, and the true revelations on the state of the project is becoming clear to all Nigerians. Hence the new barrage of lies being put out to the people, so as to distract us from the truth. Likewise with the ridiculous review put in place, to slow down construction, so that when it is eventually completed, all Nigerians will remember is the fictitious allegations against it's benefactor.

tobtap:

the OP is clearly CLUELESS

What we should be worried about is that the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge at 1,356 meters cost 29 billion (an allegedly inflated price) yet we are using 117(?) billion to build one that is 1,590 meters plus access road of 11km.

tobtap:

the OP is clearly CLUELESS

If the OP is clueless, why don't you try and enlighten us on what the true length of the bridge will be. And also, fill us in, on what the true length and breadth of the Niger at that confluence.

Mynd44:

What we should be worried about is that the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge at 1,356 meters cost 29 billion (an allegedly inflated price) yet we are using 117(?) billion to build one that is 1,590 meters plus access road of 11km.

am worried about the cost as well...nd commuters will be paying toll fees for usage as well...a pity

Mynd44:

What we should be worried about is that the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge at 1,356 meters cost 29 billion (an allegedly inflated price) yet we are using 117(?) billion to build one that is 1,590 meters plus access road of 11km.

There are so many factors that go into cost appraisal of a construction project, especially something precarious like that of a bridge. Have you read the contracting firm's report on the bridge. You and so many other Nigerians just browse unintelligible opinions of disgruntled elements and you put that here as your position. Ask yourself this
* Is the water body of the bridge at lekki as shallow or as deep as that of the Niger, and Vis a Vis the other way round.

44km includes the approach road.

tobtap:

am worried about the cost as well...nd commuters will be paying toll fees for usage as well...a pity

When the deal was struck between the contracting firm and the government, the president forced a review of the cost downwards. Even the same Easterners you continually lambast, complained of the payment policy. This was resolved by the Anambra govenor, who enlightened the aggrieved parties on the importance of the construction of the bridge, over that of cost. Hence the commencement of the bridge construction.

Hmmmm. Still Reading !!!

hinwazaka:

There are so many factors that go into cost appraisal of a construction project, especially something precarious like that of a bridge. Have you read the contracting firm's report on the bridge. You and so many other Nigerians just browse unintelligible opinions of disgruntled elements and you put that here as your position. Ask yourself this
* Is the water body of the bridge at lekki as shallow or as deep as that of the Niger, and Vis a Vis the other way round.

I love to talk about those factors. If the Lekki bridge cost 29 Billion, are you trying to tell me that an additional 88 billion will be used to cover water depth differential, construction of a 11km road, length and width(?) size and materials?

Perhaps we should also note that Labor will be cheaper in that location so it wont be a factor.

Continue

basilo101:
44km includes the approach road.

I doubt approach rd is up to that..from mgbidi in Imo state along owerri Onitsha express to Onitsha is 30 km..so you can imagine

basilo101:
44km includes the approach road.

The Former minister for works says it is 11.9 Km not 44

Mynd44:
The bridge is going to be 1,590 meters long. The connecting road is going to take the remaining.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-jonathan-kicks-construction-2nd-niger-bridge/

There is also dispute over the total length of the connecting road as the article I posted says it will be about 11.9km long.

How can it be 42Km? How long is the width of the Niger?

Kindly note this...

The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres.

With the above...I believe the possibility of the 44km...And the author can't write this knowing fully BPE, Mins of Works, & except Julius Berger are all under buhari now...hence can easily be verified...

Those towns mentioned are very long distance part plzzz...

Whynotthetruth:


Kindly note this...

The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres.

With the above...I believe the possibility of the 44km...And the author can't write this knowing fully BPE, Mins of Works, & except Julius Berger are all under buhari now...hence can easily be verified...

Those towns mentioned are very long distance part plzzz...

something does not sound right here though..nkwelle ezunaka is oyi local govt..owerri Onitsha express does not cut through there unless they are talking about Onitsha Enugu express

hinwazaka:

There are so many factors that go into cost appraisal of a construction project, especially something precarious like that of a bridge. Have you read the contracting firm's report on the bridge. You and so many other Nigerians just browse unintelligible opinions of disgruntled elements and you put that here as your position. Ask yourself this
* Is the water body of the bridge at lekki as shallow or as deep as that of the Niger, and Vis a Vis the other way round.

secondly, if u check google earth, u will realize that due to heavy urbanization, the only route to fix the bridge is through the marshland of Atani. searh for atani on google earth. there are several kilometers of unihabitable land from the town to the Niger. Plus, there is going to be an interchange at the junction with Onitsha - Owerri expressway

Mynd44:

What we should be worried about is that the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge at 1,356 meters cost 29 billion (an allegedly inflated price) yet we are using 117(?) billion to build one that is 1,590 meters plus access road of 11km.

Why not try BPE site or even this article here...cost is 108b not 117b or 138b or 140b bandied by Oshiomole and co...

Anyway, buhari/APC want to cancel the project probably to punish SE for snubbing them hence instigates such controversy as this and simply rely on it to cancel it out...

Isn't BPE, Mins of Work etc under buhari?...Why can't he ascertain veracity of this project from them than allowing different figures & doubt about project existentiality flying around?...smh

Mynd44:

I love to talk about those factors. If the Lekki bridge cost 29 Billion, are you trying to tell me that an additional 88 billion will be used to cover water depth differential, construction of a 11km road, length and width(?) size and materials?

Perhaps we should also note that Labor will be cheaper in that location so it wont be a factor.

Continue

As I said, you need to first look at the report by the construction firm, before reaching a conclusion. There are many factors that go into the cost appraisal of the project. Would the cost of the London bridge be the same as that of the Golden gate bridge, if they were constructed in this era.

@Mynd44 please take note of the above.That's why it'll be that long,if you knew the places mentioned .

Mynd44:

The Former minister for works says it is 11.9 Km not 44

Not defending the figure though, just reminding us about the approach roads

asha80:
something does not sound right here though..nkwelle ezunaka is oyi local govt..owerri Onitsha express does not cut through there unless they are talking about Onitsha Enugu express

What has local government got to do with this.Have you been to these areas and seen how connected they are.

asha80:
something does not sound right here though..nkwelle ezunaka is oyi local govt..owerri Onitsha express does not cut through there unless they are talking about Onitsha Enugu express

Yes...I noticed too...but I felt maybe the project cuts through Onitsha/Owerri road to burst out there...thus avoiding congesting Bridge head or Upper Iweka or other such Onitsha traffic for those going to Enugu/Awka or other such places....

Hence Onitsha urban isn't disturbed either by those going to Owerri/Aba/PH or Awka/Enugu/Abakaliki etc

intrepid:


What has local government got to do with this.Have you been to these areas and seen how connected they are.

does owerri Onitsha express cut through nkwelle ezunaka? Are you sure you know where nkwelle ezunaka is?

Whynotthetruth:


Kindly note this...

The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres.

With the above...I believe the possibility of the 44km...And the author can't write this knowing fully BPE, Mins of Works, & except Julius Berger are all under buhari now...hence can easily be verified...

Those towns mentioned are very long distance part plzzz...

Stop being funny as usual. Attached are the official sketches of the Bridge and approaching road.

You want me to believe it totals 44km, you will do more than the worlds of a wrong article when even the minister for roads had said that it will be 11.9km

Pictures credit: http://www.blackborderbuild.com/road-news/2nd-niger-bridge-renderings-update-part-1-coverage

Whynotthetruth:


Kindly note this...

The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba-Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres.

With the above...I believe the possibility of the 44km...And the author can't write this knowing fully BPE, Mins of Works, & except Julius Berger are all under buhari now...hence can easily be verified...

Those towns mentioned are very long distance part plzzz...

I noticed that too, he didn't cross check his facts well

tobtap:

the OP is clearly CLUELESS

@Tobtap,you are in love with that word such that you even CAPITALISED it.

I'm sure you didn't read both the original article and the countering piece posted there by Mynd44.

You simply registered you presence. Clap for yourself

Mynd44:

I love to talk about those factors. If the Lekki bridge cost 29 Billion, are you trying to tell me that an additional 88 billion will be used to cover water depth differential, construction of a 11km road, length and width(?) size and materials?

Perhaps we should also note that Labor will be cheaper in that location so it wont be a factor.

Continue

In doing such price comparative analysis... kindly remember so many indices come to play including exchange rate...which can't be the same at different times...
This exchange rate factor has been noted by Op...because prize won't be same again if they are to renegotiate it...but in all, I believe such disagreement as this won't stop the work if buhari really wanted be sincere here...

hinwazaka:

As I said, you need to first look at the report by the construction firm, before reaching a conclusion. There are many factors that go into the cost appraisal of the project. Would the cost of the London bridge be the same as that of the Golden gate bridge, if they were constructed in this era.

Does that justify a differential of 88billion?

Whynotthetruth:


Yes...I noticed too...but I felt maybe the project cuts through Onitsha/Owerri road to burst out there...thus avoiding congesting Bridge head or Upper Iweka or other such Onitsha traffic for those going to Enugu/Awka or other such places....

Hence Onitsha urban isn't disturbed either by those going to Owerri/Aba/PH or Awka/Enugu/Abakaliki etc

from the schematics I saw somewhere before the bridge is supposed to burst out at somewhere near ozubulu along owerri Onitsha express and then continue to meet Enugu pnitsha express at a point I cannot remember now

Whynotthetruth:


In doing such price comparative analysis... kindly remember so many indices come to play including exchange rate...which can't be the same at different times...
This exchange rate factor has been noted by Op...because prize won't be same again if they are to renegotiate it...but in all, I believe such disagreement as this won't stop the work if buhari really wanted be sincere here...

The initial prize was given last year when the exchange rate was 154.

Comparative analysis gives a price differential of 88billion? Lmaoooo

Mynd44:

Stop being funny as usual Attached are the official sketches of the Bridge and approaching road.

You want me to believe it totals 44km, you will do more than the worlds of a wrong article when even the minister for roads had said that it will be 11.9km

Pictures credit: http://www.blackborderbuild.com/road-news/2nd-niger-bridge-renderings-update-part-1-coverage

Trying to understand why the bolded...

Did you notice that even price quoted in your link(117b) is higher than what was stated both in Op article, Reno Omokri press release and BPE site(108b)...but with latter having more mileage...