The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially taken over the completed Second Niger Bridge and ancillary facilities from Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc.
This marks a significant milestone in the development of critical infrastructure and a boost to the country’s economic recovery plan.
The handover ceremony took place on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023, at the 2nd Niger Bridge toll station and was attended by the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, and JBN officials.
Minister lauds project completion: Hon. Minister Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality and timely completion of the project, praising both JBN and the former administration for their contributions.
Focus on future improvements:
The Minister outlined plans for further enhancements, including solar lighting, completion of interchanges, acquisition of land for service stations, and installation of CCTV cameras for security.
Concessioning and Public-Private Partnerships: Hon. Minister Umahi hinted at the possibility of concessioning the interchanges and ancillary facilities to private investors through the HDMI program, encouraging private sector participation and development.
Defect liability period and toll activation:
The Minister emphasized that JBN remains liable for any defects during the defect liability period. Toll collection will begin once the interchanges are completed.
Bridge construction contracts:
The handover involved two contracts awarded to JBN: Contract No. 6475 for the Second Niger Bridge and Contract No. 7919 for the access road.
The Minister also inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 111 and visited the collapsed New Artisan bridge along the same route.
The Ministry aims to deliver these projects promptly, further enhancing the national transportation network.
Overall, the handover of the Second Niger Bridge signals a positive step towards improved infrastructure and economic growth in Nigeria. The government’s commitment to future improvements and public-private partnerships promises continued progress and development in the years to come.
