2nd Niger Bridge: Southeast Leaders Applaud Julius Berger’s Quality Work
…Say the zone will remain grateful to President Buhari
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – A high-powered delegation of Eastern leaders, including socio-cultural heavyweights led by the President of the apex socio-cultural Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide organization, Prof. George Obiozor visited the 2nd Niger Bridge project site in Onitsha to see the ongoing construction works for themselves last Friday.
The delegation include frontline political figures like the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Minister of Science and Technology, 
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and the Minister of State, Mines, Dr. Uche Ogah, Minister of State Education, Prof. Emeka Nwajiuba, former President of Ohanaeze, Chief Enwo Igariwey; Senator Andy Uba and Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo.
The eastern leaders after a comprehensive tour and inspection of the ongoing works were united in praise and appreciation for the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for the emerging indomitable engineering strength and excellent quality of the bridge and its developing ancillary road works.
Impressed with the quality of the engineering works which the contractor Julius Berger is implementing on the project, the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof Obiozor, said the people of the Southeast would continue to be grateful to the present federal government for hearkening to the needs of Ndigbo.
In his words; “We will remain grateful to the President Buhari administration and to the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for the good work being done”.
In his own remarks at the event, the Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said the Ndigbo had been begging for the second Niger Bridge since 35 years ago and therefore expressed the Southeast region’s leaders appreciation to President Buhari.
Uzodinma further said: “Today is a special day in Igbo land by allowing us to take ownership of the Second Niger Bridge which our people have struggled for since 35 years ago…. What was looking like a dream is now a reality. Every country must have its hero, and I make bold to say that President Muhammadu Buhari is the hero of Ndigbo. God will keep us alive when this project will be commissioned by the APC administration of President Buhari in 2022.”
Speaking in turn, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said: “…the accomplishment of the Second Niger Bridge evidences a promise made and kept by the President Buhari government”.
Informing the august visitors of the immediate benefits of the ongoing project, the Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, who represented the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, said: “Over 30,000 persons had been employed at the Second Niger Bridge, with no fewer than 1,600 persons being locals”. Ajani added that: “Already, the work had reached 53.82 per cent as at January, 2021, and the completion date still remains 2022”.
There was a resounding synergy of opinion in appreciation and gratitude to President Buhari as well as certainly deserved commendation for the contractors, Julius Berger, by the visitors.
The National Vice President Ohanaeze, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene as well as the Imo State House of Assembly Speaker also attended the event in Onitsha.
