President Muhammadu Buhari is set to inaugurate the highly anticipated Second Niger Bridge this week, a multi-billion naira project that will connect the South South and South East zones.
However, the original access road and bypass route from Asaba, the capital of Delta State, to Onitsha in Anambra State, has been temporarily suspended due to funding limitations and the urgent need to put the bridge into operation.
The initial plan aimed to create a route near the Asaba Airport in Okpanam, enabling travelers to bypass Asaba and the bustling city of Onitsha.
This route would connect Obosi, the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, and the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, alleviating traffic congestion.
During the previous Christmas holidays, a temporary exit route was constructed near the base of the First Niger Bridge in Delta State to facilitate smoother travel for motorists bypassing Onitsha between December 15 and January 15.
Although this temporary solution has considerably eased traffic, motorists still encountered difficulties on the expressway’s two lanes until the diversion point in Oko.
As the inauguration date, originally scheduled for May 15 but subsequently rescheduled to a later date before May 29, approaches, the Federal Government, in collaboration with contractor Julius Berger Plc, is constructing a dual carriage way before the former Oko exit point and the first bridge. This development has led to the suspension of the original plan.
However, it is important to note that the plan has not been entirely abandoned and will be completed by the incoming administration once funds become available.
The engineer’s representative for the project, Oluwaseyi Martins, explained the situation, stating, “According to the original plan, there were supposed to be two access roads, labeled Two A and Two B.
However, due to limited funds, the Federal Government decided that it is more practical to construct a link road at the Asaba end to allow the Second Niger Bridge to be operational.
This is currently our primary focus. In fact, we had made preparations for the President’s commissioning of the bridge yesterday. Work has progressed significantly, and we are anticipating President Buhari’s arrival to commission the bridge.
The new commissioning date will be determined upon his return from his trip.
