The Federal Government has been urged to accelerate pace of work on  the Second Niger Bridge Project.

 

Speaking in Awka, the Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene said this would enable it fulfill the promise of delivering the project on schedule.

 

Chief Okeke Ogene noted that the second Niger Bridge is a critical national infrastructure with huge socioeconomic potential for Nigerians across the country and noted that when completed, it would reduce burden on the existing bridge constructed since 1965.

 

He said it would also enhance free flow of traffic, improve safety and boost volume of trade and other business activities.

 

Chief Okeke Ogene commended Governor Willie Obiano and traditional rulers in communities around the area for encouraging the people to cooperate with the contractor to deliver the project, noting that already value of land and property in the areas have continued to appreciate.

 

Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Miners Association Chief Henry Igboeli noted that dredging of the River Niger would enhance water transportation to compliment movement by land and ensure total turnaround of the transport sector.

 

Chief Igboeli cautioned against illegal mining and illegal structures within the axis of the bridge project to avoid threatening the multi billion naira infrastructure and lamented that over the years, illegal mining has continued to aggravate the menace of erosion, environmental degradation and flooding.

 

He reminded residents of the state of the need to take ownership of government facilities in their areas to protect them from abuse and vandalization.