President Muhammadu Buhari, has commissioned the 1.6km Second Niger Bridge, linking Asaba, Delta State with Onitsha, Anambra State to other South-East States.
Buhari, performed the commissioning of the bridge on Tuesday, May 23, via Zoom with dignitaries onsite.
The president said, the bridge is one of the critical infrastructure delivered by his administration to fight poverty, promote economic growth and ensure progress for the people.
He noted that the bridge and other projects being commissioned symbolised his administration’s sharp focus on delivering prosperity across Nigeria.
“I am honoured to hand over this bridge and other projects for public use. The bridge will reduce travel time and promote economic activities in the South East, South-South and other parts of the country.
“Those crossing the old Niger bridge will no longer experience gridlock as it will help to improve the socio-economic activities of the South-East. In eight years, I am proud to say that we have developed Nigeria’s stock of infrastructure of Gross Domestic Products from about 20 per cent to over 40 per cent and that is not a small undertaken.”
The bridge is said to be named after the president, though, he said, he was not consulted before the bridge was named after him.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, who also joined the event via Zoom, said, “This is a clear case of how infrastructure supports the people. It will take only a few minutes to cross the bridge of approximately 1.5km, travel time is reduced by 50 per cent. By this bridge, various properties in the area have appreciated.
“After consultation with the state governors and other critical stakeholders, we decided to name the bridge Muhammadu Buhari Bridge.”
