The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday opened the Second Niger Bridge between Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State to motorists for temporary use. The bridge was opened amidst jubilation especially from motorists. The Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday during the inspection of the bridge said the test run on the bridge would last from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023. He added that the temporary opening of the bridge was to decongest traffic from the old bridge during the yuletide.
The project took four years of consistent construction work by Julius Berger. The multi-million Naira 2nd Niger Bridge connects the western and eastern parts of the country.
As soon as officials of the Federal Ministry of Works removed the barriers to enable vehicles to drive on the bridge, residents of Odekpe in Ogbaru and other people plying the Onitsha-Owerri expressway jumped up in excitement and hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards the completion of the project.
It was gathered yesterday that many traders are already acquiring spaces down the bridge along the Obosi interchange in Onitsha for various kinds of business.
