It was
a thing of joy in the South East last week especially among those living in the
commercial city of Onitsha and its environs and including people in some parts
of Edo, Delta and Imo states, when construction giant, Julius Berger, began mobilizing
to site to commence the construction of the long awaited Second Niger Bridge in
Onitsha, Anambra State. The presence of the construction giant at the foot of
the Niger Bridge within the Onitsha axis and the berthing of several
barges belonging to the company triggered jubilation in various parts of
the commercial city and attracted widespread commendation for the Federal
Government. Julius Berger won the contract to construct the long awaited
bridge across River Niger. Two weeks ago, at the 43rd Julius Berger Annual
General Meeting (AGM), its Managing Director, Mr Wolfgang Goetsch disclosed
that the Federal Government had given Julius Berger a letter of intent, which
would enable it to do preliminary work such as soil testing and engineering design.
He explained that the bridge would be built under the private-public
partnership arrangement. A consortium that included a South African firm
participated in the bidding for the project. In January 2013, our group became
the preferred bidder. We are excited because it will be the first of its kind
in Nigeria,” he noted. Investigation by Sunday Sun revealed that Julius Berger
brought to the agreement table, the sum of N100Billionaire while the Federal
Government is paying 30 per cent equity.The 30 per cent equity by government,
according to our investigation, would be generated through the SURE-P
programme.Giving insight into the project, the Special Adviser to the Minister
of Works on Media, Mr Tony Ikpasaja, said the total length of the bridge
including the accompanying road is 12.4 kilometres. Said Ikpasaja: “the
entire bridge and approach road is 12.4Km. The bridge itself is 1.8km, while
the approach road is 10.6km.”He said, “the approach road begins from Asaba
before the airport, and veers to the right to hit the bridge, while from the
bridge, the road takes you into Onitsha-Owerri road and also, to Onitsha-Enugu
road.”
When
Sunday Sun visited the Onitsha River Port located few metres away from the Old
Niger Bridge which is temporarily being used by officials of Julius
Berger, there were many barges that had berthed along the River Niger laden
with some heavy equipment belonging to the construction giant.
Among
the barges were those with registration no IMO 9362554 5 NLD5 carrying some
equipment to be used by site engineers who were busy in various parts of
the state conducting what they termed preliminary analysis.
Though
Julius Berger Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mr. Joseph Ojelade declined
comments on the preparation for the full commencement of the project, a senior
site engineer who pleaded anonymity on the ground that he was not authorized to
speak to the press said the company was ready to complete the project on time
and to specifications.
“As
you see, we have started mobilizing to the site. It is part of the things that
distinguishes us from other construction companies and we will not like to let
Nigerians who have trust in us down. Some of these equipment that have started
arriving belong to the small category that we are using to conduct our preliminary
analysis. What we are doing now is to bring these equipment down. Many of
the barges have arrived and we have offloaded these ones and have gone back to
bring others.”
“We
are just doing preliminary works, pending the finalization of the
contract. We are still waiting for that. We are thinking maybe in two months
time, that is my thinking though, I’m not so sure.”
On
the future of the existing Niger Bridge , the site engineer said “we don’t know
what will happen to the existing bridge, I don’t think the bridge is completely
damaged. They will not pull it down; it may still be in existence even after
the completion of the second Niger Bridge. It’s the Federal Government that
will determine the fate of the existing bridge but as a company we are more focused
on the job given to us to construct the new bridge across the River Niger.”
Also
speaking, another staff member of Julius Berger who also didn’t want his
name in print said “the second bridge will come but the time of the completion
is what I can’t tell because it should only be known by the top management of
the company and as for me, I don’t have any business with the time and
specification of the project.”
On
the challenges facing the company so far at the time of the project, he said
“we have not experienced any difficulty yet. We are a good contracting
firm and that was why when we bid for the contract, after evaluation and
critically analysing the companies that made bids, we were chosen as the best
to handle it and I can tell you that we shall have no problem that could hamper
the timely delivery and completion of the second Niger Bridge.”
Meanwhile,
so many prominent Igbo sons and daughters have lauded President Goodluck
Jonathan for fulfilling his campaign promise of constructing the second Niger
Bridge, adding that the zone had been made to pass through untold hardship
because of the failure of successive governments to construct the bridge.
The
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe said the need for the second Niger Bridge
cannot be overemphasized, noting “the bridge when completed will help not only
Ndigbo but all Nigerians and will also open up this part of the country for
economic viability. We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for delivering on his
campaign promises.”
Igwe
Achebe also expressed satisfaction with the construction company that was
awarded the contract, saying “when I heard that the contract for the
construction of the second bridge was awarded to Julius Berger, I quickly knew
that the Federal Government was sincere in the construction of the bridge.”
The
former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife also thanked the
Federal Government for the commencement of the construction of the second Niger
Bridge and urged them to make sure that nothing hampers the timely completion
of the important project.
“The
Federal Government must make sure that paucity of funds does not affect the
construction and completion of the Second Niger Bridge . It must be able to pay
for all certificates generated by the contruction company and I wish to tell
Julius Berger that they have attained a certain level of height in the country
through quality jobs, they must not fail this time because this project is very
important to the country and Africa in general.”
Member
representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife
further challenged Ndigbo to remain grateful to President Jonathan for the
commencement of the construction of the second Niger Bridge, adding that the
zone had never had it so good.
She
thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing good judgment to determine the
award of the contract to a competent contracor, adding “the exercise for the
award of the contract was characterized by good judgment and the federal
government did well in allowing competence take the centre stage instead of
personal gains. Second Niger Bridge is not a project that should be handled by
just any construction company but we are proud that a competent international
company got the contract and has started mobilizing to the site.”
For
the President General Ndigbo United Assembly, Sir Peter Okala, the development
called for celebration. According to him, “even if the project does not begin
immediately, we are happy that at last, we are seeing visible efforts being
made by the Federal Government to construct and complete the bridge.”
“Ndi
Igbo are indeed very happy and we shall continue to supervise the project, give
the contractors adequate security to do their job without any hindrance. On
that angle, Ndigbo United Assembly shall collaborate with security agencies to
give maximum security to the contractors to allow for good job. The second
Niger Bridge, when completed, will not benefit only Igbo people but the country
at large because it will help Nigeria regain its lost economic leadership in
the rest of the Africa continent and the world at large.”
A
business mogul, Chief Godwin Okeke also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for
the commencement of the project, stressing that it will help reduce
dangers of travelling often caused by failed roads all over
the country and poor bridges where they existed.
“For
the business class, it calls for celebration because we are going to experience
a turnaround in reviving the economy of Ndigbo. Let me tell you, before
now, Ndigbo have been experiencing very bad days in business but I have strong
belief that the bridge when completed will open up all businesses in this part
of the country and we will be exporting our goods to the rest of the country.”
He
further described as unfortunate the condition of the only existing
bridge that links South-East to the rest of the world before the intervention
of President Jonathan and expressed optimism that the company handling it would
deliver the project on time and to specifications.
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