The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the recent transfer of the Second Niger Bridge to the Federal Government, following its completion.
The Bridge, linking South-eastern Nigeria to other regions, was implemented through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with NSIA acting as both Fund and Project Manager.
The scope of the Second Niger Bridge project involved the construction of a 1.6km concrete box-girder bridge over the River Niger; construction of two (2) secondary bridges at Amakon Village Road and Atani Road, of 21.7m each; construction of a new cloverleaf inter-change at Onitsha – Owerri Road and construction of 10.3km approach roads from Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State.
Additionally, a temporary link road, approximately 2.4km long, was constructed from the Asaba end of the Bridge to the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, enabling immediate bridge operation until the completion of the two 17.5km connecting approach roads.
PIDF was established by the Presidency in 2018 to accelerate certain critical and strategic infrastructure projects to catalyze socio-economic advancement in Nigeria. Projects under the PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and Abuja – Kano Road.
The NSIA collaborated with stakeholders such as the Presidency and federal Ministries of Works, Finance, and Justice to fulfill both the technical and financial requirements of the project.
NSIA said the Second Niger Bridge will boost economic activities by expanding access into the South-eastern part of Nigeria, generating employment opportunities, and improving road safety along the corridor.
