Sambo Inaugurates N4.4b Edo/Delta Link Bridge

Nigeria’s Vice President, Namadi Sambo has commissioned the Utor River Bridge linking Ebu community in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State with Illushi in Esan South-East LGA of Edo State.

Built at a cost of N4.4 billion by an indigenous company, Inter Bau Construction, the link bridge would reduce travel time from the eastern part of the country to the nation’s capital of Abuja by at least two hours.

Sambo who disclosed that plans have reached advanced stages to dualise the Asaba-Ebu Road, said the successful completion of the bridge was a testimony of the benefits of the transformational agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that the federal government was determined to upgrade the infrastructural base of the country, adding that the government decided to change the policy of arterial roads in 2012 which resulted in the completion of the bridge at a record time.

“It is gratifying to note that the completed bridge is already impacting on the lives of the people in terms of enhancing for farmers and better social integration between the communities on both sides of the bridge. I am pleased to inform you that we have directed the Minister of Works to commence the design and dualization of the road,” he said.

He said that the federal government will continue to partner with the private sector in the road sector as it occupies a strategic place.

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen said that the completed bridge was part of the road which runs all the way from the Delta State capital of Asaba to Illah/Ebu all to Illushi, Ubiaja, Uromi and Irrua in Edo State.

Onolememen said that the modern bridge started in 2005 when the ex-Minster of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe approved the project.

According to him, when the initial contract for the 400 metre long bridge which consists of 10km access road which was initially valued at N2.9 billion was awarded in 2006, it was supposed to have been completed in 2008 but was later shifted to 2009.

He said due to the FG policy at that time, it was transferred over to the Delta State government which declined to take over on the ground that it is an inter-state project which traversed Edo and Delta States but was again taken over by the FG in 2011 due to a series of agitation by Edo and Delta communities..

“The Contract was awarded to the same contractor, Messrs Inter Bau Construction at a revised of N4.4 billion. Work commenced in December 2012 and has now been completed. The project has provided a shorter link between the South-East and Abuja with an appreciable travel reduction time of two hours,” he explained.

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan pleaded that the weight of vehicles plying the road should be regulated so as to avoid the wear and tear of the road.

Uduaghan said that the governments of Edo and Delta states agitated for the transfer of the bridge to the federal government when it was handed over to them because of the funding which the two governments could not afford but was glad that it had finally been completed by the FG.