The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has reaffirmed that the ongoing work on the Second Niger Bridge would be completed next year.

The minister gave the assurance during an interview with newsmen in Abuja, NAN reports.

According to Fashola, the bridge, which will serve as a major link between the South East and South West Nigeria will be delivered between the second and third quarters of 2022.

The minister said that the project would facilitate influx of investments into the South East when completed.

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He further noted that the construction work had gone beyond the water level, explaining that most bridge works were done under water.

So, what you see currently is the final work. The sub-structure which entailed building cement structures under water often costs a lot of money.

“We should finish the bridge next year between the second quarter and third quarter,’’ he said.

The bridge is 1.6km long from Asaba in Delta State to Ozubulu, Ogbaru and other communities in Anambra State.

The existing Niger Bridge, linking Onitsha and Asaba was completed in December, 1965.