Finally, on Thursday, December 15, at 9.50 a.m., the Second Niger Bridge was opened to vehicular traffic.
Sunday Emem, the first driver to cross the bridge, shared his thoughts, saying he was pleased with the progress.
The 1.6-kilometer-long Second Niger Bridge connects Anambra state in the southeast and Delta state in the south-south.
According to Channels Television, the bridge reopened at 9:50 a.m. on Thursday.
The bridge’s opening was slightly delayed because the federal government had previously stated that it would open at 12 a.m.
According to an unnamed government official, the delay was caused by minor changes to the roads connecting the bridge.
The first person to drive through shares his experience.
Sunday Emem, the first driver to cross the bridge, expressed his delight, noting that the new infrastructure will cut travel time.
“I feel so happy, at least it will reduce the hold-up. We’ve stayed over one hour at the other bridge,”
he said.
Obinna Eze, the second driver to pass through the bridge, urged the present administration to complete it before May 2023.
“It is a reality, though it is not 100% complete, so far what we are seeing is impressive. We commend the present administration and we hope they complete it based on the time frame,”
Eze said.
The Second Niger Bridge: What You Should Know
The 1.6-kilometer-long bridge connects the states of Anambra and Delta.
The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by National Party of Nigeria candidate Shehu Shagari (NPN).
However, in August 2012, the Federal Executive Council, led by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, approved a N325 million contract for the bridge’s final planning and design.
Due to some complications, President Muhammad Buhari cancelled the previous contract in August 2015, shortly after taking office.
However, on September 1, 2018, the administration resumed the contract.