The second Niger Bridge will be connected to the Benin-Asaba expressway by an access road that has approved N15 billion in funding from the federal executive council (FEC).
Following the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister of communication and culture, Lai Mohammed, made the announcement to State House reporters.
Mohammed claimed that the bridge’s inauguration before Buhari leaves office on May 29 will be made possible by the road’s completion.
“The minister of works presented a memo seeking approval for the award of contract for the construction of an access road from the existing Benin-Asaba expressway to approach the link road to the second Niger bridge in Delta,” he said.
”As you are aware, the government is determined to inaugurate the second Niger bridge before the expiration of this administration.
”We can tell you that the bridge itself is substantially concluded, but the contract that was awarded today, although the work has started before now, is actually to connect the Asaba-Benin end to the new bridge.
“The contract was awarded to Julius Berger at a sum of N15 billion. They have started the work but they said it is only proper that they have a contract.
”We can assure you that the road will be finished in good time for us to inaugurate the 2nd Niger bridge.”
The minister also said the council has approved N16 billion as a variation for the dualisation of Suleja-Minna road in Niger state.