By Gabriel Atumeyi
A high-powered delegation of South east leaders last Wednesday, February 5, paid a visit to the 2nd Niger Bridge project site in Onitsha for an assessment of ongoing construction works.
The delegation, which included socio-cultural heavyweights, was led by the President of the apex socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Prof. George Obiozor and several frontline political figures including Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma; the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and the Minister of State, Mines, Dr. Uche Ogah.
On completion of the assessment tour, the eastern leaders were united in praise and appreciation for the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for the engineering strength and excellent quality of the bridge and its developing ancillary road works.
Obviously impressed by the superb quality of the engineering works, Prof. Obiozor said in his speech that the people of the Southeast would continue to be grateful to the present Federal Government for hearkening to the needs of Ndigbo.
He said: “We will remain grateful to the President Buhari administration and to the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for the good work being done.”
In his own address, Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodinma, while expressing thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, said Ndigbo started begging for the second Niger Bridge 35 years ago.
Uzodinma said: “Today is a special day in Igboland by allowing us to take ownership of the Second Niger Bridge which our people have struggled for since 35 years ago…. What was looking like a dream is now a reality. Every country must have its hero, and I make bold to say that President Muhammadu Buhari is the hero of Ndigbo. God will keep us alive when this project will be commissioned by the APC administration of President Buhari in 2022.”
On his part, the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said: “…the accomplishment of the Second Niger Bridge evidences a promise made and kept by the President Buhari government”.
Informing the august visitors of the immediate benefits of the ongoing project, Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, the Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, who represented the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, said: “Over 30,000 persons had been employed at the Second Niger Bridge, with no fewer than 1,600 persons being locals.”
Ajani added: “Already, the work had reached 53.82 per cent as at January, 2021, and the completion date still remains 2022”.
Other members of the delegation were Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State Education; former President of Ohanaeze, Chief Enwo Igariwey; Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Andy Uba; Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, the National Vice President, Ohanaeze; Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, as well as the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly.