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Construction giant and contractor of the Second Niger Bridge, Julius Berger, has officially handed over the multi-billion naira project to the Federal Government.
In a brief ceremony at toll area of the bridge on Sunday, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, expressed satisfaction with the project, confirming that the contractor had carried out repairs on the vandalised portions
He also noted that the bridge is open to concession to any private company who would be ready to complete all the ancillary roads, collect tolls and recoup investments.
Umahi hinted that modalities to ease traffic at the old and new bridges during the festive period are being worked out.
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The 1.6 kilometers long bridge links Anambra and Delta states.
The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
In another report, the Police command in Anambra State yesterday paraded no fewer than eight persons arrested in connection with the vandalisation of the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge.
Iron grills and drainage covers that had been stolen by the vandals from the bridge were also found by the state police command.
Anambra State Police Commissioner, Aderemi Adeoye, stated this on Monday, during a press briefing, in which he paraded about 129 suspects apprehended for varying crimes.
Others paraded alongside the vandals are suspected members of various cult groups terrorising the state capital, Awka, suspected members of the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who kidnap victims and armed robbery suspects among others.