Federal Government delegation comprising (second from right); Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (left); Labour and Productivity minister, Dr Chris Ngige (right), as well as, Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji, inspected the bridge on Tuesday, March 8
FG to toll new 2nd Niger Bridge, as old bridge becomes alternative route
Federal Government may have already concluded plans to toll the new Second Niger Bridge when commissioned next month, April, as the old Niger Bridge may now become the alternative free route into the East.
The 2nd Niger Bridge is expected to be fully ready for commercial in three weeks time, as the contractor has indicated the readiness of the facility to commence operations in April.
Ahead of the commissioning, a Federal Government delegation comprising; Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Labour and Productivity minister, Dr Chris Ngige, as well as, Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji, inspected the bridge on Tuesday, March 8, as they made veiled confirmation on the planned tolling of the facility.
On possible tolling of the Second Niger Bridge when completed, Gambari speaking during the tour, said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had developed a National Tolling Policy (NTP) for the entire nation and that whether or not the bridge would be tolled was not the key issue, adding that the priority of the government was to get the project delivered.
He added that if the road was eventually tolled, there would be an alternative route.
‘So, when this bridge is tolled, the old bridge is an alternative route. So you have the choice to make between speed and price,’ he said.
Also speaking during the tour, Fashola said the major responsibility of the government was to deliver the project in collaboration with NSIA saying: ‘Once we have finished if they choose to concession, they can concession.’
In a statement he issued after the tour, the minister explained that the ministry has secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council on a National Tolling Policy that is of international standard.
‘Concessioning of projects is regulated by law. There are rules on how it is done. We are currently supervising the concession of 12 highways across Nigeria through the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) and the process is open to the general public.
‘So, if we choose to concession this one, it will also be open to the general public,’ he said.
The minister said work on the bridge had reached an appreciable level and appealed to the communities around the impressive Second Niger Bridge to bear with the Federal Government as power supply was going to be interrupted for two weeks to put finishing touches to the project, adding that adequate notice would be given ahead when that would be done.
On his part, Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State and the Engineer Representative of the 2nd Niger Bridge, Ajani Adeyemo said that the existing Niger Bridge was built in 1965 noting that it has remained the crucial East-West link over the years.
However, due to age and excessive axle load and the heavy traffic congestion arising from the enhanced economic activities in the South-East and South-South transport corridors, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing initiated the second Niger Bridge which has attained 93 per cent completion under the leadership of President Buhari.
According to him, the bridge when completed would reduce the strain on the existing Niger Bridge, improve traffic flow, improve health, security and create opportunities for the host communities as well as Nigerians to improve their socio-economic activities.
