Federal Controller of Works in Delta, Mr Jimoh Olawale has said that the new Second Niger Bridge will be opened on December 15.
Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, December 7, Olawale said that the bridge would be open for only 30 days.
He added that the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, ordered the opening of the bridge, which is at 95 percent completion stage, to ease traffic during the Yuletide.
Olawale said;
“As we know, during the Christmas celebration, commuters suffer hardship accessing the old Niger Bridge due to traffic jam but with this arrangement, traffic congestion on Asaba-Benin Expressway will ease.
“We have notified the state government on this arrangement and we are working with the Federal Roads Safety Corps to ensure a hitch free vehicular movement.
“Motorist going towards Owerri direction would divert through the access road near the old Niger Bridge to the new bridge.”
Olawale who also debunked claim of FG abandoning payment of compensation to property owners along the access road to the second Niger Bridge, added that the government had not taken possession of any property along the 17 kilometre Okpanam-Ibusa-Asaba-Oko bypass to the new bridge.
He stated that they only served notice that their structures were within the government right of way.
The Federal Controller also said that the modalities for payment of compensations were being worked out.
He said;
“The federal government has appointed a consultant, Messrs C.O. Akpabor and Company to enumerate the properties for compensation.
“Each claimant has an attorney that liaises with the consultant, so there is totally no need for protest, more so that the federal government has not taken possession of the properties nor commenced construction work on the access road.
“As at moment, nobody’s structure or property has been demolished.
“Federal government verification team have visited and submitted its report to Abuja and government will pay all compensation before work will commence on the access road.”