The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has said the construction of the second Niger Bridge is very close to President Muhammadu Buhari’s heart.
She made this known on Saturday during an inspection of the project which has so far gulp N157bn, Naija News reports.
Ahmed was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Gilbert Ibezim, among others.
The minister disclosed that she came to inspect the project to see the amount of work done and to see where all the funds have gone.
She asserted that the project would be beneficial to the people of the South-East and other parts of the country when completed, adding that it is one of the most iconic projects in the country
Ahmed revealed that the project has created about 20,000 jobs at the construction site, commending the skills of the construction workers working on the project.
She said: “Today is a very significant day in the construction circle of the second Niger Bridge, this is one of the most iconic projects in the country, costing an initial contract sum of N205bn.
“Today, we have been able to fund this project with N157bn and I’m here to see where all this money is going. Also, the significance of today is that the two ends of the bridge are being put together and this is the final phase of the work in truly completing the project.
“So, technically I can report to Mr President that I have seen where all the N157bn has gone. This is a project that is very dear to the President and it is designed to uplift the lives and livelihood of the people of the South-East and other parts of the country. We do hope that when this project comes on stream, it will ease traffic, enhance commercial activities and improve the lives of the people of the state.
“Also, I am happy to see ladies, and not all men, at the construction site. Julius Berger has brought some very unique innovations in the construction of this project and I want to on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria applaud the skills of the construction workers that have been working on this site.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News