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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures (1319 Views)
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The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by Dhugal: 5:13pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
By Luke Onyekakeyah on September 1, 2015 The first Onitsha-Asaba Niger Bridge was completed in December 1965. Built by the French construction giant Dumez, the bridge linked the defunct Eastern and Western regions of Nigeria. Today, it is the major corridor of trade between the South-East, South-South, South-West and North-Central zones. At the time the bridge was conceived, Nigeria was mainly an agrarian economy. Thus, the bridge served as the avenue for transporting different agricultural products – palm produce, timber, rubber, etc. Prior to the construction of the bridge, these commodities were ferried across the River Niger between Onitsha and Asaba using canoes. Owing to rapid economic development and population growth, pressure began to mount on the bridge, especially during festive periods. The bridge has been overstretched beyond its capacity. There is apprehension that the bridge might collapse with catastrophic consequences to lives and property. To forestall such disaster, the idea of a Second Niger Bridge was conceived. The Second Niger Bridge was on the drawing board for many decades. Successive administrations in the country paid lip service to its construction. It was President Goodluck Jonathan that flagged off the construction of the bridge and actual work started. To that extent, it is wrong to accuse Jonathan of lying to Ndigbo about the bridge. Jonathan thought that he would win a second term during which he could complete the bridge. But he lost the election. The history of the bridge cannot be written without mentioning him. The truth is that work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge and is progressing. The project, which is divided into three phases, will bypass Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwerre- Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba- Benin Expressway at Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres. With this length, the Second Niger Bridge will surpass the world’s longest bridge in China (42.4km), to become the world’s longest bridge! The project is being constructed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. A Consortium JB-NSIA, is working on the project on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT), at a total cost of N108 billion. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) reviewed the concessionaire’s cost of N138 billion down to N108 billion. The project phases will be constructed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW). The Federal Government committed to contribute N30 billion (28%) of the project cost. The remaining 72% will be raised by the Consortium under a 25-year concession. The Federal Government has so far committed N18.31billion. Out of this, N10.4 billion has been disbursed leaving a balance of N7.94 billion. A team of local and international consultants was engaged through a rigorous and competitive procurement process. The NSIA has spent the sum of $2.21 million on consultancy and another $247,586 on due diligence to determine project viability. The first-class advisory services are required to enable the project reach financial close – the point at which private capital is successfully raised. Based on reliable information, work has not stopped on the bridge. It could be said that work has slowed down because of the rainy season that naturally stalls engineering construction work. Preliminary physical works have been completed. By December 2015, the final phase of the early works will be completed. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is being done to meet the highest international standards to make the project eligible for long-term financing by local and international financial institutions. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is reviewing the Full Business Case (FBC) and Draft Concession Agreement (CA). Once the ICRC approves the FBC, the CA will be signed and the Consortium will then raise the remainder of the project capital. President Buhari has stopped work on the project. It is in the country’s interest to hold onto this project because any review will definitely raise the cost owing to the depreciation of the naira. The cost of the project was reached at the exchange of N154/$ . Now the naira exchanges at N197/$. I can appreciate that Nigerians want to see a second bridge across the River Niger. People should calm down. The bridge project has a development and completion time-frame four years from financial close – point at which private capital is successfully raised. This point has not reached, meaning that count down for the bridge is yet to start. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/09/the-second-niger-bridge-facts-and-figures/ |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by Dhugal: 5:13pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
An excerpt from the larger body of article published by the Guardian newspaper,during the heat of the Oshiohmole - Okonjo Iweala saga. Posted to majorly counter the outright lies and fallacies contained in the thread: https://www.nairaland.com/2602228/truth-second-niger-bridge-chibuzo-n/3 |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by sammyj: 5:22pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Like I said in my previous post GEJ is a scam who has scamming and sold the future of the SE people to private business men. Imagine using our own tax payers money to build a white elephant phantom bridge which will be tolled for 25 years. PMB should scrap the entire contract and create avenue for new bid devoured of private public partnership scam!! |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by Dhugal: 5:42pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
sammyj:Is it that you cannot read or you have comprehension problem?.Though seemingly on the high side,cost of which I will like brought down,the FG share of the cost is 28% of #108b which is #30b. And who told you the bridge is a "white elephant phantom" project?.In that wise,the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project should be termed the same,as this bridge makes even more economic sense and serves more purpose. The tolling,I don't agree with neither do I agree with it being concessioned.The FG should build the bridge,same way it's constructing the Expressway |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by GabrielSuswam(m): 5:51pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Why Charge My SE brothers for a Federal Bridge... When Benue Bridge I dey pass am reach 20times a day (Wurukum To Northbank) |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by BushidoBlue(m): 6:13pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
But why are Nigerians full of hate and lies? I saw this post about the bridge and couldn't help but laugh This is the malicious post https://www.nairaland.com/2602228/truth-second-niger-bridge-chibuzo-n |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by Nobody: 6:35pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Second niger bridge 44km? The 42km bridge in china passed over an ocean not on a 1.7km wide river... Somebody is 419ing us all. |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by Nobody: 6:43pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
What is even there to review sef...just cancel the present contract and re-award it... The new contractor should be mandated to deliver the less than 2km bridge in 18 months and the cost should not exceed 50 billion shikena |
Re: The Second Niger Bridge: Facts And Figures by FearGodinall: 6:52pm On Sep 16, 2015 |
Thank you for coming out with the truth. |
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