Julius Berger denies stopping work on 2nd Niger Bridge

Construction giant Julius Berger and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority’s (NSIA) subsidiary, NSIA Motorways Investment Company (NMIC), yesterday refuted speculations that they have abandoned work on the site of the Second River Niger Bridge.

The consortium, which was the preferred bidder for the development of the Second River Niger Bridge Project, said in a statement that “reports suggesting that work on the bridge has been suspended due to noncompliance of environmental laws represent inaccurate and misconstrued information.”

The statement jointly signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIA, Uche Orji and the Managing Director (MD) of Julius Berger, Wolfgang Goetsch further read: “Contrary to recent reports, work on the Second River Niger Bridge Project continue to progress according to schedule, to ensure timely completion of the Bridge, which is set to be executed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concessional period of 25 years through the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.”

The statement said Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has commenced full mobilisation to site and timely execution of all scheduled activities is anticipated.

It said the Consortium would comply with Nigerian Environmental Laws in executing the project in line with the anticipated time for completion.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently flagged off the construction of the Second River Niger Bridge on Onitsha in Anambra State with many Nigerians expressing pessimism that the project could be abandoned as was the case with previous attempts.