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Ekweremadu lauds President Jonathan on second Niger Bridge

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Prince-Chukwuemeka-Ekweremadu 1dpNigeria’s Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over his decision to flag off the second Niger Bridge project in Onitsha Anambra State.

President Jonathan is expected to flag-off the project on Monday March, 10, 2014.

Answering questions from journalists at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on his arrival to the state, Ekweremadu said it would help open up Onitsha and boost trade between Nigeria and the entire West Africa sub-region and beyond.

He described the proposed flag off as a major development, not just for the people of the South East, but the entire country and Africa.

“I think it’s a major development; it’s a very positive development. It’s good not just for the people of the South-East, but also for the South-South, for the South-West, for the North and within the sub-region of West Africa, because it is not bridge that is being used only by the people of South-East, people from Bene Republic, from Togo, from Ghana; they come to Onitsha market. People from Cameroon also come to Onitsha market and everybody pass through this bridge.

“So it’s a major concern to everybody, but because it situates in the South-East that’s why we are more worried about that. So I’m excited just like the rest of Nigerians about the intended flag off of the construction of the second Niger Bridge”, he said.

The Deputy President of the Senate expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for his determination and desire to actualize the project, which he described as long-standing dream of the people of South-East, adding that the bridge is coming in grand style as it would come with other appurtenances including exit ways in and out of the Onitsha.

Ekweremadu noted that he personally followed developments concerning the project, adding that after studying the design he suggested the addition of a rail line to be incorporated in the design of the bridge, which he said was done.

“And I discovered too that when they were doing the design there was no provision for a rail line within the Bridge, I made that point, I pointed that out to them; I do believe that by now that would have been taken care of. And I have also been in touch with the Sovereign Wealth Fund who is also organizing this because they are discussing fully with Julius Berger.

“And I have also been talking with the major consultant for the Ministry of Works, Dr. Obika who is based in England, he is a Nigerian engineer based in England; so I’m very satisfied with the design, the financial plans for the construction of the bridge and of course Mr. President’s determination and desire to have it completed in record time”.