The much-expected 2^ndNigerBridge will be ready before President Goodluck Jonathan completes his first term in 2015, Works Minister, Architect MikeOnolemomen,has assured.

The works minister gave the assurance while speaking yesterday at a stakeholders meeting held at the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

Onolemomen,who was accompanied by a technical team that comprised mostly civil servants and building experts, said the time had come now for serious action on the 2^ndNigerBridge.

He commended Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for his relentless efforts towards realising the project, disclosing that without him the project would have died a long time ago. The minister recalled many letters and visits by the governor to President Goodluck Jonathan, himself and relevant stakeholders, pleading for the commencement of the project. “Even at our last event at Transcorp Hotel Abuja, Gov. Obi was there and made strong point on the imperative of commencing the bridge now,” Onolemomen said.

He said that it is necessary to complete the second bridge across the River Niger so as to ease transportation problems as well as in line with the fulfillment of President Jonathan’s campaign promises.

Onolememen, who traced the history of the proposed bridge, said it would span from Asaba in Delta State to Ozubulu and Ogbaru areas of Anambra State.

He said he was in Onitsha to acquaint Anambrarians with the latest development about the s bridge, disclosing that the project was designed in such a way that there would be a ring road from Asaba to Onitsha to ease traffic challenges.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Obi described the project as very gigantic and assured the federal government that his administration would provide adequate security and make other necessary sacrifices that would enhance effective completion of the project.

“Once the project commences, I will relocate to Onitsha and turn myself into one of the project supervisors,” Obi said.

He thanked President Jonathan for fulfilling his promise of building the bridge which he said would, among other things, bring the sufferings travellers face in the state to an end.

The Managing Director of Julius Berger, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, who was there with the technical crew of the company, pledged to carry out the project successfully according to specifications and time. He commended the federal government for considering his company worthy of executing the project.

Also speaking, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, expressed delight that the project is actually taking off and has been awarded to a very competent construction firm which he said was a testimony that the federal government was determined to fulfill their promises to the electorate. The monarch said there would be unity among the communities where the bridge would pass through and that the project would help to transform the country.

In his own remarks, the Igwe of Mbaukwu, Igwe Peter Anugwu, commended the federal government and Gov. Obi, whom he described as an exemplarily leader, saying that Anambra State would never remain the same for having a governor like Obi.

•Photo (R-L): Mr Peter Obi; MD, Julius Berger, Wolgang Goetsch; Hon Minister of works, Arc Mike Onolememen; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the Igwe of Mbaukwu, Peter Anugwu at the Stakeholders Sensitization meeting on the Construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge,. yesterday at the Ime Obi, Onitsha.