A leading Presidential Aspirant of the Accord, Amb. Dr. Solomon Uchenna Wining has applauded the Federal government for its commitment to making the Second Niger bridge functional before the end of this year.
The Presidential hopeful noted that the commitment was in line with the earlier assurance by the Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to complete and hand over the bridge for public use before the end of this year.
In a press statement signed by Nze Nweke Nweke, Head of Media SUWIP 2023, Dr. Wining argued that if the Federal government had applied the same zeal and commitment ‘it was presently showing for the second Niger Bridge’ to address other key challenges facing the Nation, most of our National problems, and National questions should have been reasonably addressed’.
SUWIP, 2023 Media Directorate disclosed that Amb. Dr. Solomon Uchenna Wining, who had earlier inspected the progress of work at the Second Niger Bridge, including the road, bridge, and interchange, said that the projects were at about 82 percent completion level’
The Accord Presidential Aspirant expressed happiness that the projects were progressing, as planned, despite the global economic downtown, urging the Federal government not to relent.
‘It will be recalled that the Second Niger Bridge was one of the three projects being funded from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, PIDF, he noted.
The Presidential hopeful Commended the Construction Company handling the project, adding that out of the estimated total project cost of about N206 billion, a huge amount has been spent on the project, which he said was central to south-eastern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.
“My joy is that the quality of work at the Second Niger Bridge is quite impressive and that the major work had been completed while the remaining ones, although quite expensive, would be completed before October this yea year
The Presidential Aspirant assured that if elected, he will not abandon any inherited unfinished projects, adding that he was also aware that two other road projects were being sponsored by special road intervention as set up by President Mohammadu Buhari and managed by the NSIA.
“It is already in the public domain that NSIA brought its support alongside the capital provided by the Federal Government and the one from the repatriated Abacha loot, with which the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project and the Lagos-Ibadan express road projects are being funded’. ,
So, people should stop crediting PDIF hence. It is the NSIA in collaboration with the federal government. NSIA is the one coordinating the fund from investors and it is purely the NSIA and the Federal government that mishandled the project today,’.
“I am aware that NSIA is an investment institution owned by all three tiers of government including the states and local governments, the federal government, and the Federal Capital Territory which make up the shareholders of the NSIA”; he stated.