By Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba

Despite the claims of the Federal Government of Nigeria that over $2 billion has been spent on the 2nd Niger Bridge, theledgerng.com reports that the project site has been abandoned  and the site overtaken by weeds and rodents.

 In their reaction to the claims of the FGN, made by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the contracting firms Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, and  NSIA Motorway Investment Company Limited (JOB-NMIC) Consortium handling the 2nd Niger-Bridge have faulted the federal government claims of works in progress, saying that the discrepancies of the $2billion said to have spent by Federal Government portends a ruse and unfounded. 

 It will be recalled that the  Federal Government through the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo during the governorship campaign for All Progressive Congress Party (APC) in Onitsha had disclosed that government had paid contractors $2billion for works to commence on the 2nd Niger-Bridge in fulfillment of the party’s electioneering promises made in 2015, adding that government would leave no stones unturned to ensure the completion of the 2nd Niger-Bridge. 

 It was gathered that the project which Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and  NSIA Motorway Investment Company Ltd (JOB-NMIC) consortium was handling, was estimated to cost $700million (i.e.) N108 billion at then exchange rate of N154, and out of the N108billion project costs the federal government had made a commitment to contribute N30billion, which represented 28 percent, while the JBI-NMIC consortium would raise the balance funds for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Bridge including the adjacent roads of phase one under a 25 year concession. 

 Meanwhile, the Federal Government had claimed to have contributed N18.31billion out its commitment of N30billion, comprising N8.464billion from SURE-P budget in 2014 for start and a further $50million from its Eurobond loan for the execution of the early works had generated more questions there answers with the contracting firms describing its claims as “political”. 

 Investigation revealed that the sovereign wealth fund contributed N10.4billion of the federal government had so far been disbursed, leaving a balance of about N7.94billion of government contribution with the sponsors. 

 A supervisor with the Julius Berger firm who did not want his name in the print told our reporter “the Federal Government statement is purely “political and unfounded, its claims of $2billion is not totally correct, and at present no work is going on the site”. 

 However, efforts by our reporter to get information from government officials on the present scope of work, sources of finance and exact completion schedules proved abortive as none of the officials were willing to provide the details. 

 A visit to the main contractor, Julius Berger Plc at their work road in Onitsha, the Head of Media for the contracting firm, Barr. Duku promised to get back in few minutes to no avail as the time of filing this report, but the site had been taken over by rodents/weeds. 

 Further more, the proposed bridge had been last for the Asaba end while fierce looking soldiers were seen on guard, claiming that they were under instructions not to allow anybody near the site. 

 Further investigation revealed that amidst long stretch of hold ups, crooks have taken advantage of it to swindle unsuspecting motorists including the travelers. In most cases, these crooks’ under the guise of selling cookies collect money from unsuspecting customers on the head bridge and disappeared after claiming to be looking for a change. 

 But Police Officer attached to the “B” Division Police Asaba head bridge who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity confirmed that they have arrested several of the “crooks” who they said often disguised as hawkers to swindle unsuspecting motorists/travelers on the head bridge. 

 Only recently, a motorist traveling to Onitsha was swindled by one of these “crooks” who after collecting N2, 000 to sell two roll of cookies disappeared into the thin air with the money. 

 The motorist, Monday Abel told our reporter that he was shocked on what he and the suspect bargained for N2, 000 and after collecting his money did not return. 

 As it were, the 2nd Niger Bridge was conceptualised  almost 50 years ago, and the project divided into three phases with by-pass through Onitsha and Asaba to connect the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Nkwele-Ezunaka, and then cross Atani to the Asaba Benin Expressway in Okpanam with a total length of 44 kilometres