Fashola: Communities’ Hostilities Could Upset Work on 2nd Niger Bridge

Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said hostilities from communities located on the peripheries of the second Niger Bridge could derail the project’s construction schedule if left unattended to.

Fashola who undertook a one-day inspection of the project site and consultation with stakeholders, however said the federal government was committed to curtailing this and completing the bridge along with the mausoleum project dedicated to the memory of late former President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in Onitsha.

A statement from his senior aide on communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello, on Thursday in Abuja, explained that the minister met with the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Asagba of Asaba represented by the Iyase of Asaba, Patrick Onyeobi in Delta and Anambra States where he clarified this development.

According to the statement, Fashola stated that the second Niger Bridge was one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s priority infrastructural projects and he would want to see it completed with no delays.

He said government was working to address all contending issues in the bridge project but would want communities to maintain peace and a conducive environment for work to continue on it.

He stated that issues relating to compensation were being worked out, and that contracting firms and investors in the project would only go back to work when the environment is conducive.

“Whatever the social and economic rights relating to land that arise, I believe that we will be better off if we resolve them while construction goes on. In that way, we win both ways, we have a bridge and we also get compensation,” said Fashola.

Further Details Later