FG Signs N245m Contract for Second R/Benue Bridge
From Andy Ekugo in Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday signed a N245 million contract for the design of a bridge linking Loko township in Nasarawa State and Oweto township in Benue State across the River Benue.
This project, according to Works Minister, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe was in consonance with government's commitment to completing four new major bridges and two minor ones in different parts of the country before the end of President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure in 2007 as promised earlier in the year.
The minister signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government with an indigenous Engineering Consulting Firm of Etteh Aro and Partners at a total cost of N245 million with a completion period of six months in Abuja yesterday.
Ogunlewe said the design of the bridge linking Loko with Oweto across River Benue was a necessary pre-requisite for complying with extant rule on due process in the award of contracts for construction projects. He said the construction of the bridge had already been advertised for the submission of tenders, and gave assurances that by January or February 2005, construction work on the bridge will commence.
He further revealed that other bridges to be rebuilt by the Federal Government include the second Niger Bridge at Onitsha Anambra state, the Ikom Bridge in Cross River State, the Ibi Bridge in Taraba Sate, the Ibagwa Bridge in Akwa-Ibom and the Argungu bridges in Kebbi State.
The Managing Partner of the firm, Engr. Etteh Aro, emphasized that the bridge would provide shorter access to the Federal Capital Territory to travelers from Benue, South-East and South-South zones. He said it would also facilitate the speedy and easy movement of goods and services between the North, South-South and South-East zones in addition to affording an alternative to existing bridges linking the Northern and Southern parts of the country.
Etteh on behalf of the company said the new bridge will be constructed at a point downstream at the tributaries maintaining that the bridge being designed is 1.97 kilometres long with a dual carriage way. The bridge, he further disclosed, will have 22 spans of 85 metres long and two spans of 50 metres with no expansion joint, except at both ends.
He commended the Federal Government for reposing tremendous confidence in Nigerian engineers and affording them the opportunity to serve the country through the design of the bridge.
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