*For Christmas, New Year travels only
The Second Niger Bridge has been opened to vehicular traffic, according to reports.
The bridge was open at exactly 9:50am on Thursday, December 15, 2022 despite assurances by the Federal Government that it will be opened at 12am.
According to a government official, the delay was as a result of some little adjustments on the roads the roads linking the bridge.
The first driver to pass through the bridge, Sunday Emem, expressed his delight: “I feel so happy, at least it will reduce the hold-up. We’ve stayed over one hour at the other bridge,” he said.
Obinna Eze, the second driver to pass through the bridge, urged the present administration to complete it before May 2023.
“It is a reality, though it is not 100% complete, so far what we are seeing is impressive. We commend the present administration and we hope they complete it based on the time frame,” Eze said.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), last Thursday, disclosed that the Second Niger Bridge would be open to traffic from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023 to ease the experience of travelers during Yuletide break.
The 1.6 kilometers long bridge links Anambra and Delta states.
The Second Niger Bridge was first mooted during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).