FG Begins Construction Of Second Niger Bridge Bypasses With 30% Mobilization

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has officially commenced the construction of two bypasses on the Second Niger Bridge, enhancing connectivity between the Asaba-Benin and Enugu-Onitsha expressways. To facilitate this development, the government has allocated 30% mobilization funds to kick-start the project.

Additionally, the Federal Government has assured that the reconstruction of the flood-damaged East-West Road in Rivers State will be completed between December 2025 and March 2026.

Government’s Commitment to Infrastructure Development

During an inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers State, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, provided an update on the progress. He highlighted the government’s commitment to infrastructure enhancement, noting that mobilization payments for critical road projects, including Abuja-Kano (sections 1 and 3), have also been made.

Umahi expressed enthusiasm about the commencement of the Second Niger Bridge bypasses, emphasizing that construction is being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Jiangxi Corporation (CJC). The 30% mobilization ensures the timely execution of the project, which will integrate the newly completed Second Niger Bridge into Nigeria’s national road network.

Key Federal Road Projects Underway

As part of his two-day project inspection, Umahi visited several ongoing federal road construction sites, including:

Eleme-Onne Road (Handled by RCC)
Bodo-Bonny Major Road (Executed by Julius Berger)
Rivers-Bayelsa Section of the East-West Road (Managed by SETRACO)
Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway (Aba-Port Harcourt Section) (Under CCECC)

Boosting Local Contractors for Sustainable Development

Umahi reiterated President Tinubu’s directive to empower local contractors to bridge infrastructural gaps. He emphasized that while expatriate contractors play a role, developing local expertise is essential for long-term sustainability.

Speaking on the East-West Road project, Umahi stated, “Ensuring the road’s stability is our priority. A major factor contributing to rapid deterioration is poor structural support, and we are tackling this issue by reinforcing key sections with concrete technology.”

Conclusion

With the federal government prioritizing key infrastructure projects, the Second Niger Bridge bypasses and the East-West Road reconstruction will significantly improve transportation and economic activities across Nigeria. For more updates on Nigeria’s infrastructure development, visit Federal Ministry of Works.