We’ve completed Second Niger Bridge, says Fashola

The construction of the Second Niger Bridge is complete, according to Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing.

Fashola said this at the unveiling of President Muhammadu Buhari’s scorecard series (2015-2023) on Wednesday in Abuja.

• More taxes, revenue leakage blocking will reduce Nigeria’s debt burden – Finance minister 
• Buhari to unveil Tinubu’s manifesto, inaugurate campaign council Friday

“Second Niger Bridge is completed. What is remaining is a 4km interchange road at the Asaba end and 2km out of a 7km link road at the Onitsha end,” Fashola said.

“The first thing we did when we came into power was we expanded our budget on road infrastructure, sought alternative sources of funding through SUKUK, Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.”

He said his ministry completed 12 road projects covering about 896km, commissioned and handed them over to different communities.

He also said the government is executing 83 road rehabilitation projects in federal tertiary institutions across the country with 66 projects completed and 46 commissioned.

The bridge, which was conceived years ago before the Buhari administration came on board, became a reality, following the decision of Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, to ensure that a new bridge is put in place to complement the existing one, which is over 50 years old.

In a previous chat with journalists, Fashola had said the bridge would be ready for use before December.

He said, “Our priority is to open the second Niger bridge to traffic by December so that those travelling for the season will do so at ease. We are committed to opening the bridge to traffic by December and I can assure you that, with the level of work done, the set target will be met.”