Press Statement

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed majority of Nigerians are shocked over the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate to undermine our electoral process by refusing to approve the demand by Nigerians across board for electronic transmission of election results without conditionalities.

The action of the APC senators is an atrocious assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, who looked up to the Senate for improvement in our electoral process in a manner that will engender free, fair and credible process.

It is outrageous that the APC and its Senators, in their desperate bid to annex the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seek to route a statutorily independent commission to the approval of an individual masquerading in the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC); an agency under executive control in addition to an extra endorsement of the legislature, before conducting elections.

This action of the APC senators is a direct affront, novel in its recklessness and a defilement of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly conferred operational independence to INEC to conduct elections, free from interferences and regulations from any other agency of government.

The decision of the APC Senators therefore amounts to a suspension of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which is a recipe for crisis that could derail our democracy and destabilize our nation.

It is, to say the least, a preparation for mass rigging of elections across Nigeria by the APC, which must be firmly resisted.

Our party, standing with Nigerians, however commends the PDP senators as well as other democratically minded senators in the chamber for their resilience in voting for unconditional electronic transmission of results, in line with the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, clean and credible election.

The PDP however notes the efforts being made in the House of Representatives and urges lawmakers to return to the chamber tomorrow and save our nation from the machination of the APC as being pushed in the Senate.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Speaker Gbajabiamila mourns Lagos APC Treasurer, Sumbo Ajose

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described as painful the passing of Mrs. Sumbo Ajose, the Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker committee in Lagos State.

Gbajabiamila said with Ajose’s death, APC has lost one of its finest and committed members not just in Lagos State but in the country at large.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Ajose’s invaluable contributions to the APC in Lagos State would remain indelible in the sand of time.

Gbajabiamila sent his condolences to her family, the government and the people of Lagos State, especially the APC family, over the painful loss.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of late Sumbo Ajose, whom he described as a committed state executive and politician who had the interest of the people at heart.

Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE RIGHT HON ALBAN SUMANA KINGSFORD BAGBIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA, TO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Majority and Minority Leaders and Leadership of the House
Leadership of various Committees and Caucuses of the House
Hon. Members of this House
Distinguished invited guests
Our partners from the media
Ladies and gentlemen!

I bring you felicitations from the President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), His Excellency Nana AddoDankwaAkufo-Addo. I also extend to you all warm and hearty greetings from the entire membership ofGhana’s Parliament and the good people of Ghana, who indeed, are your kith and kin.
Ghana salutes His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the amiablepeople of Nigeria for your participation in the recent Statutory ECOWAS Summit, which extended the Chairmanship of Ghana’s President of the Community.The bold and decisive position Nigeria took at the Summit represents to me a statement of our joint commitment to consolidate our democratic gains across the sub-region. It manifests our joint resolution to fight anti-democratic tendencies, terrorism and related vices that appear to be on the rise in our sub-region.
Permit me to also seize this opportunity to applaud the efforts of His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan in leading the ECOWAS Mediation team to find a solution to the political instability in Mali.Above all, my deep respect and appreciation also go to my good brother, friend and colleague, Rt. Hon.Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, for his cuttingurge parliamentary diplomacy and visionary initiative of cementing the already great and cordial historic diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria. I do not have the appropriate words to describe his gracious invitation to host me and for us to continue with efforts to actualize the vision, but also to address thedistinguished Members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. This ishistoric, a momentous feat unparalleled by any Speaker of the Houses of our two countries in our post-independence democratic history. This honor, no doubt, is a practical step towards cementing the bonds between our two great nations, particularly our legislatures.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, kindly indulge me for a few minutes, to introduce members of my delegation to the House. I am accompanied on this trip by my wife, some senior members and staff of Ghana’s Parliament. Let meacknowledgemy wife, the person who made it possible for me to survive and win eight consecutive elections from 1992. The person who made sure I had the unwavering support and votes of my constituents and MPs to be in Parliament for 28 years and still counting. I am referring to no other person than my lovely and adorable wife, Mrs. Alice AdjuaYornas.
Rt. Hon speaker, the senior members and staff of Ghana’s Parliament with me include:
Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Chairman, Committee on Trade and Industry
Hon. Emmanuel ArmahKofi-Buah, Ranking Member, Committee on Trade and Industry
Hon. Bryan Acheampong, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Hon. Samuel OkudzetoAblakwa, Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr. Cyril KwabenaOtengNsiah, Clerk to Parliament
Mr. Richard Kwame Acheampong, Head of Parliamentary Relations and Protocol
Ms. Anita Shirley Quartey-Papafio, Head of the Speaker’s Secretariat
Mr. Justice DansoNorvor, MyAide
A. S. P. Simon Tenkuu, My Aide-De-Camp.
History of Ghana-Nigeria relations
Rt. Hon. Speaker, relations between Ghana and Nigeria predate our attainment of political independence. Ithas been characterized by our shared socio-political history and culture. Many Nigerians and Ghanaians don’t know the West African Students Union (WASU) was founded by twenty-one law students led by LadipoSolanke and Herbert Bankole-Bright, both of Nigeria. Yet they called on a PhD student from Ghana, Dr. J. B. Danquah to be the First President of WASU. Two champions of print media in the Gold Coast were Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria who later became Governor-General of Nigeria and Wallace Johnson of Sa Lone now Sierra Leone, who founded the first labor Union in Nigeria in 1931.
We note the pioneering and inspiring role played by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his colleague young student activists since the Pan-African Conference of 1945 in Manchester that gave the final push towards the liberation and independence of African nations. That unity of purpose and infectious solidarity which characterized that era ensured that colonialism and imperialism were defeated. That solidarity and brotherhood must underpin our contemporary relations.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, I can go on and on with verifiable examples to establish that we are one and the same people. We are now for good historical and natural reasons made up of numerous and varied ethnic and tribal groups and people but from a background of a common official language, educational system, currency, air carrier and adjudicatory system at a point in our colonial history. These significantly contributed to our ability to work together in many spheres of endeavors. The symbiotic nature of our relationship as a result of this cannot be gainsaid. This explains why within the sub-region, even though we do not share geographical boundaries, we share the same ideals. We see ourselves as one people with a common destiny.
Indeed, history tells us that a numberof ethnic groups in Ghana migrated from Nigeria. I am referring to the Gas in Greater Accra Region and the Mole-Mamprusi- Dagbani ethnic groups in the Northern part of Ghana. Their languages and traditions reflect those of the Yorubasand the more than 21 languages spoken in Gombe and Bauchi states. It is therefore not strange why our culture andtraditions with particular reference to our cuisine, dances, values and aspirations remain identical. A clear evidence of the artificiality of our borders occasioned by the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 which partitioned Africa amongst the imperialists.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, despite all these commonalities, it is important to mention at this stage, that relations between our two countries have not always been smooth. Consistent with the tongue and teeth metaphor which has it that even though the tongue and teeth play complementary roles in the digestive process, they come into conflict occasionally. Similarly, our relations have had its own challenges every now and then.
The events of 1969, when through the Aliens Compliance Order, Ghana expelled a large number of Nigerians and the 1983 Ghana must go, which saw Nigeria deporting about one million Ghanaians, are dark days in the history of our two countries. These actions were destructive to the socio-economic and fraternal relations between Ghana and Nigeria and stretched the fabric and strands of bonds beyond measure.It is no wonder that successive leaders of our two countries have, since then, vowed never to allow those incidents to ever recur.
The issue of Nigerian traders in Ghana
It is on this basis that I commend my brother and colleague, Rt. Hon.Gbajabiamila, and my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, for their noble efforts in pursuing Parliamentary Diplomacy towards finding a lasting solution to the trade impasse between some Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in Ghana. This impasse followed the full implementation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), which occasioned the closure of shops belonging to some foreigners including some of our brothers and sisters from Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Speaker your visit to Ghana in September 2020 demonstrated a significant commitment on your part and the leadership of our two legislatures to strengthen the bonds that exist between us, as one people and with it the development of our two countries.For that reason, you and your counterpart defied the threat posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic to reach out to one another, at a time when the global community was living in fear of such physical contacts.
The conclusions you arrived at, which were encapsulated in the joint communique issued after the visit, provided the basis for redefining our relations, in terms of our history of cooperation, to forge a better future for the citizenry of our two nations.These conclusions were reinforced by the communique issued after the recent meeting between our ministers responsible for Trade on the sides of the Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit on the Political Situation in Mali held on 31st May 2021 in Accra.
As I have repeatedly stated on various platforms, if COVID-19 has taught us any lesson, it is that no country, no individual and no group of persons can succeed on its own efforts.Given the nature of global emerging challenges which tend to be trans-territorial and trans-generational, we need, as people and nations to forge and bond together.If we want to survive in peace and prosperity, we have no alternatives than to work together to find common solutions in this global village.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, Ghana and Nigeria are forerunners in this respect. Our history of oneness, kith and kin, and good relations makes it imperative for us to make all necessary efforts at forging together in peace and harmony on all fronts of our socio-economic life.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, I am here just to help bring finality to the impasse. I pledge my commitment and that of the Parliament of Ghana, to contribute in every way possible to end the impasse between traders of our two sister countries.
The Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act
In furtherance of that, under my leadership, the Parliament of Ghana has appointed a seven-member committee as Ghana’s delegation to the Joint Committee of Eminent Persons of our Legislatures. They will interact with their Nigerian counterparts towards passing the “Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act”. The Act will set up the proposed “Ghana-Nigeria Business Council”, which is intended to provide the legal and institutional framework to sustain the continued friendship and business interests of our people. I am particularly glad to indicate that they are with me on this trip and are ready to engage with their counterparts towards realizing the intentions expressed in the Act.
The communique of 31st May 2021 meeting, suggested in part a ring-fencingof some of the thorny requirements of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013(Act 865). This was a laudable suggestion.Of particular mention, in this regard,is the reconsideration of the one million United States-Dollar minimum capital requirement for trading enterprises under section 28 (2) of the Act. This is to facilitate regularization of the businesses of the affected Nigerian retail traders in the trade impasse.Equally commendable is the special concession to be applied to the requirement for the payment of 0.5 per cent Stamp Duty on the capital investment required by both the GIPC and the Registrar-General’s Department in respect of investment by foreign nationals.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, it is understandable that the meeting resolved to apply all other aspects of the legal requirements in respect of foreigners’ participation in retail trade in Ghana and Nigeria. Recent and emerging security imperatives necessitate that while we seek to deepen cooperation among citizens of our two countries, we must not fail to prevent opportunists from taking undue advantage of loopholes in our systems that might tend to jeopardize the economic fortunes of our respective countries.
Nigeria’s prohibition list
Rt. Hon. Speaker, we are making progress in resolving the concerns of the Nigerian traders in Ghana. It has been a joint effort between our two countries. That is always the way to go if we are interested in the peace and development of our countries. I am confident that the intervention of our two legislatures in this effort will yield results.
Whilst at it, it is said that it must be peace without victory.Only peace between equals can last. To this end, it will be highly appreciated if the Government of Nigeriawill review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific goods and commodities into the Nigerian market, from countries including Ghana. This request is underscored by the resolution as captured in the communique of 31st May 2021 referred to supra. I have no doubt, Rt. Hon. Speaker, under your sterling leadership of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an institution of measureless might and majesty, Nigeria can fine tune the prohibition list to align with contemporary international trade practices.
The coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area signals that we are open for business and mutually beneficial investments. Indeed, Africa’s prosperity depends largely on intra African trade. Increase in trade volumes is the surest way to deepen regional integration in Africa. The low levels of trade among African countries as compared to trade with other parts of the world constitute one of the defining characteristics of our continued poverty.Data available from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) indicates that in 2019 Africa’s total volume of trade was about US$460billion, however only US$69billion of this huge volume of trade was transacted among African nations. What is even more worrying is that most of these imports traded can be produced and procured in Africa. This unfortunate trend hinders prospects of bringing the needed prosperity to our people. It results in the frailty of our security situation given that the rising youth unemployment on our continent which is the world’s youngest continent, occasioned by this unpleasant development, provides handy tools to those so minded to perpetrate all acts of vandalism, hooliganism and violent extremism.
Conclusion
Rt. Hon. Speaker, let me conclude by affirming my readiness to contribute to deepening the Parliamentary Diplomacy that have been commenced to deal with all current and future challenges that our continent may be confronted with. I am particularly excited about the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP) initiative to pursue the cancelation of the rising debt situation in Africa, occasioned by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am of the firm conviction that with effective Parliamentary Diplomacy in support of theExecutive arms of our government, as well as our development partners, this initiative will seea resounding success. Our history is replete with instances where Ghana and Nigeria have confronted and overcome our challenges. Working together, this seeming mountain before us shall be a pebble behind us.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, as for the debate on which of us has the best soccer team and the best jollof, I believe that rivalry will continue unabated even though you all know where I stand on that debate.
On this note, Rt. Hon Speaker, Hon Members of the House of Representatives, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, God bless Ghana- Nigeria relations.
I thank you all for the audience

PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS GANDUJE, STRESSES ON COMPLETING PROJECTS
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for imbibing the culture of completing projects of importance in order to save time and cost overruns without minding which administrations began those projects.
Speaking in commendation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday in Kano, the President said the completion of projects started by his predecessors was a sign of strength and good leadership on the part of the Governor.
In stressing the need to create such culture among the general public, President Buhari said he is pleased to see the Governor initiate and complete projects, adding that he is equally happy seeing him completing projects initiated by his predecessors.
“It shows that he is not wicked or malicious,” said the President.
The President said he was glad with the many projects the Governor is putting in place, adding that this is the only way to justify the resources that are being managed on behalf of the people.
Governor Ganduje in his remarks expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Kano for the care and love lavished by the President as manifested by key appointments as well as the many ongoing federal projects, including the Kano-Kaduna modern railway project, which construction the President kicked off in the city in the morning.
Emir Aminu Ado Bayero welcomed the President to the Palace which he said has always served as his home. He commended the President for carrying out so many infrastructure projects in the state and across the nation in spite of the global economic meltdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, but urged that more attention be paid to the problems of security, poverty and food inflation.
He equally urged his subjects to pray and show patience and understanding towards their leaders.
Before his presence in the Place, the President had commissioned a very impressive three-layer bridge in the city, put up by the Ganduje administration to alleviate excruciating traffic hold-up on a major road crossing beside the state Secretariat.
President Buhari was welcomed, as usual by mammoth crowds that lined his routes.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021

PRESIDENT BUHARI URGES STRONGER SYNERGY WITH STATES TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE, CALLS ON NATIONAL ASSEMLY TO PASS WATER BILL
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Dustin-ma, Katsina State, called on state governments to build stronger partnerships with Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to provide infrastructure that will meet the growing needs of Nigerians, while urging the National Assembly to pass the National Water Resources Bill.
Speaking at a ceremony for the commissioning of the Zobe Regional Water Supply Scheme in Katsina State, the President said the project was initiated by a previous administration in 1992, and the Federal Government had to work in collaboration with the state to ensure completion.
“I am particularly delighted to be physically here today for the commissioning ceremony which has been on hold for over one year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“As you all know, the implementation of this very important project that commenced in 1992 suffered neglects under past administrations primarily due to lack of attention that resulted in poor funding and ultimate abandonment.
“It is therefore gratifying to note the positive efforts made by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to salvage the project leading to its completion and eventual commissioning today.
“I have also noted the effective collaboration between the Ministry and Katsina State Government for execution of different components of the project as enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by both parties way back in October 2017 when the project was resuscitated,” he said.
President Buhari enjoined other sectors to emulate the good practice of federal and state governments’ partnership to accelerate infrastructure development.
The President said the administration will work towards ensuring that all Nigerians, irrespective of location in the country, have access to adequate potable water supply and sanitation facilities as enshrined in the SDG target.
“However, for this national aspiration to be realized, we need to mobilize funds from all sources including the private sector. This is where the need for quick passage of the National Water Resources Bill that made provision for the National WASH Fund, as well as regulatory environment for private sector involvement in the sector, become relevant.
“I therefore call on the National Assembly to give attention to the Bill towards its passage into law as soon as possible,” he added.
The President noted that from the inception of the administration there had been a serious commitment to the development of the water sector through various efforts.
“Approval of the National Water Resources Policy by the Federal Executive Council in September 2016; Approval of a 15-year Roadmap developed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in 2016; Approval and Launching of Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program in November 2016; Approval of the National WASH Action Plan for the revitalization of the sector and declaration of a “State of Emergency” on the sector in November 2018 and Launching of the “Clean Nigeria Campaign” in 2019 to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025.”
He said Executive Order Number 9 was signed in support of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation and improved funding of the sector from special sources.
According to President Buhari, “the transformation being witnessed in the sector under the above listed efforts is highly commendable. I enjoin the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to continue the good work towards meeting our national aspirations as well as meeting the targets for water supply and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
He urged the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, who signed an agreement ceremony to take over the project from the Federal Government, and community leaders to operate the facility efficiently, and jealously guard against vandalization.
In his remarks, the Kastina State Governor said the Federal Government had shown strong commitment to the development of communities, pointing out that the Zobe Regional Water scheme will address a major concern by supplying water for households, businesses and farms.
He said the project had to be separated into two phases in 2016 to enable completion, noting that by 2018 the first phase had been completed to provide more than 50 million litres of water to some communities in the state.
The governor called for more partnership to develop the state, adding that the government will keep providing the enabling environment.
Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu, said 106 water projects were left uncompleted by various administrations, and the Federal Government would keep working hard to ensure that Nigerians get adequate supply of water.
He said the Zobe multi-purpose dam will provide the needed water that will be treated to meet acceptable national and global standards.
Deputy Governor of Katsina, Mannir Yakubu, who is the Chairman of the water project scheme and Emir of Kastina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, thanked President Buhari for his intervention.
“He who gives water gives life,’’ the Emir said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021

Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman receives Adedoyin’s praises
Lagos politician, Hon Adeyinka Adedoyin, on Thursday eulogized the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Surulere, Hon Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman.
Adedoyin who spoke with reporters after meeting with youth leaders in Surulere acknowledged Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman’s honesty, competence, humble life style and commitment to service.
He described the APC chairmanship candidate as a man of integrity and principle.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman possesses the ability, courage, the sincerity and the guiding philosophy to provide the right leadership for the betterment of the affairs of Surulere
The Lagos APC chieftain spoke of the candidate’s contributions to social and economic emancipation of the poor and his unwavering commitment to building bridges of unity between the privileged and the less privileged members of the society.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is a man with a vision and mission. He has a good understanding of the workings of government ’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin is backing the APC candidate because of his record in private and elected offices and commitment to issues affecting the good people of Surulere.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is not flippant with public funds. The good people of Surulere want someone who is not flippant with public funds, someone who is humble. They want a government that will deliver the dividends of democracy. In terms of performance, keeping money in safe hands, managing the meager resources and developing Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is the right man for the job’’ Adeyinka Adedoyin said.
He urged the good people of Surulere to continue to support Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman
‘’The July 24 chairmanship election in Surulere is a done deal. We are ready for the chairmanship election’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin advocated violence-free elections.
‘’We thank the good people of Surulere for rejecting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties’’

HOW THE SECOND RIVER NIGER BRIDGE WILL IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA FROM THE SOUTH- EAST
Every day, millions of people journey from Asaba to Onitsha and back through the iconic Niger Bridge, which has become a symbol of national enterprise. Atop the Asaba side of the bridge reads the sign, “Welcome to the land of progress.” The mere sight of it sparks the image of the entrepreneurial Nigerian building a future for themselves and their family.
On the other side of the bridge is Onitsha, Anambra State, home to the biggest commercial market in West Africa. Merchants in Onitsha Market deal in every type of product you can imagine — mobile phones, foodstuff, clothing items, toiletries, bathroom fittings, etc. Every year, an estimated $5 billion worth of goods pass through that market. Onitsha is also home to 51 Iweka Road, one of the largest distribution networks for Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar movie industry, Nollywood.
Thirty minutes (or 22 km) away from Onitsha is a small town called Nnewi. According to Forbes, it “has bred more naira billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa”. Nnewi is also famously a hub for automobile spare parts dealers, manufacturers of household goods, and many of the largest transport companies in Nigeria. Several of these business activities happen across states and require hours commuting from the East to the West of Nigeria. However, the snag is that most of this economic activity flows through one bridge.
The current Niger Bridge is a 1402.08-metre steel truss bridge that connects Onitsha to the rest of Nigeria. It is over 56 years old, dating back to 1965. The bridge is part of the Trans-African Highway between Lagos and Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the primary connection between Eastern and Western Nigeria, two highly industrious regions. So, one cannot overstate its importance to Nigeria and Africa’s prosperity.
Over the years, the need for a second Niger Bridge has arisen. Since the construction of the first Niger Bridge, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 400%, and the amount of people travelling through Asaba and Onitsha has also skyrocketed. This creates a heavy flow of traffic for the travellers and residents of both cities.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Patrick Okigbo, a policy analyst, said about the current state of traffic on the Niger Bridge, “…it impacts the cost of doing business. It impacts lives. If they can afford it, nobody travels by road anymore. If you can’t, then you go on a prayer.” In answer to the needs and yearnings of the people, the construction of a new bridge will ease the traffic burden enhancing the free flow of access to work, business centers, markets and other places that have social and economic significance to the people.
The Second River Niger Bridge is the product of a Public-Private Partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The project is a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model. This means that the government owns and finances the project’s construction while Julius Berger, a company with a track record of excellence over 50 years, designs and builds.
Back in 1970, Julius Berger was called upon to repair the dilapidating Onitsha bridge, which was accomplished in just seven weeks. The company has also delivered an impressive number of iconic projects that have supported Nigeria’s economy over time.
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for the Second River Niger Bridge includes constructing two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station.
Currently, work on the bridge includes the incremental launching of the superstructures for both the western and eastern approach roads. For the access roads, earthworks and road pavements are underway, as well as the installation of culverts and stormwater drainage. In addition, the current flyover at the Owerri interchange is being demolished and replaced with a new flyover bridge with culverts and a standard drainage system.
The Second River Niger Bridge is already enabling progress in the region and would do even more upon completion. The project employs about 1700 people and is scheduled for completion in 2022.