FG takes possession of 2nd Niger bridge

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has officially handed over the completed Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This bridge, connecting Southeastern Nigeria to other areas, was carried out through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with NSIA functioning as both the fund and project manager.

The bridge project included building a 1.6km concrete box-girder bridge over the River Niger, constructing two secondary bridges at Amakon Village Road and Atani Road, each 21.7m long, creating a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and making 10.3 km of approach roads from Asaba, Delta State, and Onitsha, Anambra State.

Furthermore, an approximately 2.4 km-long temporary link road was forged from the Asaba end of the bridge to the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, facilitating immediate bridge operations until the two 17.5 km-long connecting approach roads were completed.

Established by the Presidency in 2018, the PIDF aimed to speed up crucial and strategic infrastructure projects to advance Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Some of the projects under PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and Abuja-Kano Road.

The Second Niger Bridge is anticipated to enhance economic activities by opening up access to the southeastern part of Nigeria, creating job opportunities, and boosting road safety along the route.

During the recent handover of the bridge, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the Managing Director and CEO of NSIA, highlighted that handing over the Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government of Nigeria signifies a significant accomplishment for NSIA. It aligns with its dedication to effectively execute large-scale, complex projects that positively affect socio-economic conditions for both present and future generations of Nigerians.