2nd Niger Bridge: Week after JB said 28% delivered, NSIA claims over 40%
…As decking stage of the bridge begins this week
There seems to be serious doubt on the actual percentage in the delivery level of the ongoing construction of Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.
This is coming from the fact just after one week the handling company, Julius Berger said it has reached 28% delivery of the bridge, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), on Friday disclosed that construction work on the same Bridge has reached over 40 per cent.
Prior to this claims, the Managing Director of the NSIA, Uche Orji, had disclosed that the agency is a joint sponsor on the financing and construction of the bridge.
While expressing optimism that the project scheduled to be completed in 2020 will boost economic activities across the country, Orji disclosed that the decking stage of the bridge, which will last 32 weeks, will commence from today.
Whereas experts say it would be hard to believe that Julius Berger covered the difference of 16% in one week, the agency’s verified Twitter handle, @nsia_nigeria said as follows weekend.
“Second Niger Bridge is over 40 per cent complete.
“Significant work has been done along the 11.9km stretch of on-going construction.
“The decking phase for the bridge commences next week and will last for another 32 weeks.
“At completion, the Second Niger Bridge will ease travel time through the Eastern region and boost economic activity across the country.
“We expect completion by 2022.”
Business Hilights recalls that in a report dated November 15, 2019, Julius Berger stated that the scope of works comprise of 1.6km long River Niger Bridge and 10.3km highway inclusive Owerri interchange and toll station.
The construction giant also noted that the letter of award for the project was issued on July 25, 2018, and the contract was signed on August 14, 2018.
Work commenced on the project site on September 1, 2018, while the contract period was captured in the report as 42 months even as the total manpower on the site was 1,201.
