15:T709,

Hurray! President Goodluck Jonathan may not have to go on exile, after all, as he is about to keep his promise to construct the Second Niger Bridge. On a visit to Anambra State in August 2012, the Nigerian leader had vowed to go on exile if he does not build the bridge.

With just over a year to complete his tenure, Jonathan today disclosed that he would perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the bridge on March 10.

Addressing a delegation of Anambra citizens in the presidential villa, Abuja, on a courtesy visit, Jonathan assured that work on the bridge would begin immediately after the ceremony in fulfillment of his campaign promise before he became the president in 2011.

The first Niger Bridge was built in 1965 and cost £5 million. The increasing vehicular movement had triggered the need for a second bridge to ease the pressure on the old bridge and at the same time create free movement of vehicles into the commercial city of Onitsha.

The delegation was led by outgoing Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, whose tenure will expire on the March 17.

The visitors thanked the Jonathan administration for the decision to finally start work on the Second Niger Bridge project and pledged their support to ensure that the bridge is completed within the stipulated time. They also thanked the President for his support to Governor Obi and appealed for the same support to the incoming governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

In his remarks, President Jonathan commended Governor Obi for demonstrating clearly that he is a good person and for his immense contributions to the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team.

•Photo shows the existing Niger Bridge, which is over-burned and in danger of collapse.

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