Infrastructure: Loko-Oweto, 2nd Niger Bridges completed, set for commissioning -Fashola

*Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Works and Housing, discloses the newly-completed roads will be commissioned before May 29, 2023, to enhance business efficiency, reduce travel time and costs, and boost the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has disclosed the Muhammed Buhari administration has has completed the Loko-Oweto Bridge and the iconic 2nd Niger Bridge.

ConsumerConnect learnt the government noted both newly-completed road infrastructure projects would be commissioned and handed over before the in-coming administration by May 29, 2023.

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Honourable Minister for Works and Housing, said this during the inspection of the completed Loko-Oweto Road and Bridge Tuesday, April 4, in Nasarawa State.

Loko-Oweto Bridge

Fashola revealed the contractors handling the projects had assured the Federal Government that the projects would be completed by the end of March, and they made good their promise, agency report said.

The Minister stated: “So, that’s why we’re here today (Tuesday).

“They indicated last week that they had finished and you saw as we crossed each of the sections all of them with our officers reported completion.”

He also stated: “So, we essentially made the timeline we set; so we’ve kept to that timeline, courtesy of our contractors, and also our staff and I think we deserve the commendation of all Nigerians for the work that have been done.

“What remains now on this project is to send a report to the Office of the President to say that on this project, mission accomplished, and whatever date is then possible, to do a ceremonial handover.”

Essence of Oweto Bridge/Road to commuters

In regard to value of the Oweto Bridge, Fashola further said the road infrastructure crosses the River Benue while the 2nd Niger Bridge crosses the River Niger, and it is a North-South link while the River Niger is an East-West link.

He explained: “Coming from the South-East, for example, and you go through Otukpo (in Benue State) to link Nasarawa, instead of going through Lafia to Keffi, you can now pass Loko and burst out at Keffi.

“That reduces your journey time by about four hours.”

The Minister also noted “this is what this bridge has done in terms of business efficiency, reduction of travel time, reduction of travel costs, and ultimately, ease of doing business.

“In terms of scope, there are two bridges here, the main bridge is 1.8 kilometers long.”

He as well said: “So, it is 200 meters longer than the main bridge of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

“Although the second Niger Bridge has a total of three bridges, and in terms of project scope, they aggregate to about 2.6 kilometres.

“The two bridges here aggregate to 2.2 kilometres.

,”But individually, in terms of river crossing, this is 200 metres longer than Niger Bridge.”

The Minister stated the Buhari administration should be commended because the projects constitute developments that several African countries could not accomplish in today’s economy, report said.

Fashola said: “We should be proud to project these developments because they are the basis of our future prosperity – linking people, creating opportunities, creating trade, driving commerce, and economic exchange.”

The Loko-Oweto Road and Bridge is funded by Sukuk IV.

According to the Minister for Works and Housing, the 2nd Niger Bridge will fully be opened to vehicular traffic May 15 this year.