By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Federal Government has awarded contract for early works on the second Niger Bridge and emergency repairs at the Tamburawa Bridge in Kano State.
The total cost for the projects is put at N16.3 billion.
Revealing this was the Assistant Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi.
Mr Abdullahi, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that the contract for the second Niger Bridge was awarded to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Ltd. at a total cost of N14.4 billion, while for the emergency repairs at the Tamburawa bridge in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State was awarded to Messrs. Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd. at a total cost of N1.9 billion.
According to him, the existing Niger Bridge, inaugurated on January 4, 1966, had severely been overstressed, adding that its continued serviceability could not be assured.
Mr Abdullahi also said that the idea of a second Niger Bridge started way back in the late 1970s but its realisation is delayed by several challenges.
He added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was resolute to the completion of the projects.
Mr Abdullahi said the scope of work for the emergency repairs of Tamburawa Bridge would involve the use of rock-filled gabion protection with reno mattresses, fitters and embankment protection to the abutments.
He said the intervention followed what he called public outcry and concern earlier expressed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State over the exposure of substructures of the bridge.
Adedapo Adesanya