R- l: Mr Peter Obi, CON; MD, Julius Berger, Wolgang Goetsch; Hon Minister of works, Arc Mike Onolememen; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the Igwe of mbaukwu, Peter Anugwu at the Stakeholders Sensitization meeting on the Construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge at Ime Obi, yesterday
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The Federal Government disclosed yesterday at a stakeholders meeting held at the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe that all was set for work to commence
on 2nd Niger Bridge.
Addressing a mammoth crowd, the Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolemomen who came with a high calibre of technical team that comprised mostly civil servants and building experts, said the time had come now for serious action on the 2nd Niger Bridge.
He commended Governor Peter Obi for his relentless effort towards the move to realize the project adding that without him the project would have died long time ago. He recalled many letters and visits by the Governor to the President, himself and relevant stakeholders pleading and reqesting the commencement of the project. “Even at our last event at Transcorps Hotel Abuja, Gov. Obi was there and made strong point on the imperative of commencing the bridge now”, the Minister said.
According to the Works Minister, the project would be completed before the expiration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2015 as part of efforts to deliver on the campaign promises of the present government.
The Minister further disclosed that the need for the completion of the second bridge across the River Niger was apt to ease transportation problemsas well as in line with the fulfillment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign promises.
Mr. Onolememen who traced the history of second Niger Bridge said it was Governor Obi’s efforts that enlivened the project otherwise, it would have been a closed chapter, adding that the project will span from Asaba to Ozubulu and Ogbaru areas.
He said he was in Onitsha to acquaint Anambrarians with the latest development about the s Bridge and that the project was designed in such a way that there would be a ring road from Asaba to Onitsha to ease traffic challenges.
In his contribution, Governor Peter Obi described the project as very gigantic and assured the Federal Government that the state government would provide adequate security and other necessary sacrifices that will enhance effective completion of the project.”Once the project commences, I will relocate to Onitsha and turn myself into one of the project supervisors,” Obi said. He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for fulfilling his promise of building the bridge which he said would, among other things, bring the sufferings travellers face in the state to an end and assured federal government of proper supervision to ensure hitch free exercise.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger Construction Company, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch who was there with other technical crew from the company pledged to carry out the project successfully according to specifications and time and commended the federal government for considering them as the preferred consortium.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe expressed delight that the project is actually taking off and awarded to a very competent construction firm which he said was a testimony that the federal government was determined to fulfill their promises to the electorate.He said there would be unity among the communities where the bridge would pass through and that the project would help to transform the country. In his own remarks, Igwe Peter who was there commended the Federal Government and Gov. Obi whose relentless efforts led to the realization on the project. Describing him as an exemplarily leader, he said Anambra State would never remain the same for having a governor like Obi.
