This bridge was proposed by President Shehu Shagari from Sokoto, a Northerner, a Muslim, North West. Shagari approved the design of the project but was ousted from power by Gen Buhari. Then, in 1987, IBB also approved an improved design.
Obasanjo, a Christian, South West flagged off the project in Asaba but could not execute it. Yar Adua a Muslim, North West now approved that the Project should be executed under a Public Private Partnership. Recall ObJ approved N58.6bn when Atiku from North East was VP.
Yar Adua approved that 60% should come from the contractor : GITTO GROUP (you know what happened to GITTO, make we leave that story) : 20% from FG not Yar Adua and 10% from Anambra and Delta states. Unfortunately, Yar Adua, died and the the project was SUSPENDED.
Then Goodluck Jonathan, a Son of the soil, South South, a Christian approved in August 2012 via Federal Executive Council a sum of N325m for the new design of the bridge. Don’t forget, Shagari, IBB, OBJ had approved and money paid for this design.
GITTO could not execute the project. So, PPP died. Julius Berger was brought in to replace GITTO. So, President Buhari, a Muslim, North West decided to establish a Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund that all Govs approved during National Economic Council to fund the project.
The Govs agreed that a sum of $650m should be transferred from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas dividend account at CBN as initial seed to fund projects critical to nation development as we can not rely on budgetary allocation.
The project was awarded to Julius Berger for a sum of N206bn by NSIA via Federal Ministry of Works andHousing and approved by FG under Buhari. Again, PPP did not work and died. Then Gen Abacha ‘s loot came in to fund the project too.
North West played a significant role and Muslim also to complete the second Niger Bridge located in Christian populated South East. The project was reviewed in three phases . The first phase was N206bn; Second phase: N88.09bn; Third phase: N112.09bn. Combined cost is N406.2bn.
A new company was introduced to help Julius Berger called Reynolds Construction Company on 8th October 2019 that is construction of 17.5km ( Onitsha to Okpa Enugu Expressway) and its associated infrastructure.
10: Don’t forget that National Economic Council also approved that $250m should be deducted from OUR FAMOUS EXCESS CRUDE OIL ACCOUNT to the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund. That is part of Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund. You see why excess crude account was spent.
As at July, FG has released a sum of N157bn and the work is 91% complete. One of the iconic and legacy projects FUNDED by President Buhari’s govt. Don’t forget we have money recovered from People Democratic Party’s members looted was also used in funding.
Christmas will be so fun this year as we shall all snapped pics at the Iconic, Muhammadu Buhari Niger Bridge. Also, PIDF also funding Lagos – Ibadan Expressway as well as Abuja – Kaduna – Kano expressway road project.
Anambra and Delta states govt did NOT eventually contribute 10% to the funding of Second Niger Bridge. The reason is that Hon Chuma Nzeribe led the battle that Federal government should fund the project ALONE.
We THANK President Muhammadu Buhari for making sure that Second Niger Bridge now known as Muhammadu Buhari Niger Bridge is now a REALITY.