Tinubu’s Second Niger Bridge Road Sparks Debate Over Political Motives

President Bola Tinubu has officially flagged off the construction of the 35-kilometer road linking the Second Niger Bridge to Anambra and Delta states, a project some critics say is politically motivated.

 

Represented by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Tinubu’s administration is pushing forward with the long-delayed infrastructure project, which includes seven flyovers, bridges, and a road width of up to 46 meters. The project is expected to bypass Onitsha and ease traffic congestion.

 

Governor Soludo praised the initiative, stating that it would significantly impact Anambra communities. However, some political analysts argue that the timing and execution of the project are strategic moves to secure political goodwill in the Southeast ahead of future elections.

 

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, confirmed that the federal government had already released 30% of the funds to contractors, promising the project would be equipped with surveillance cameras and solar-powered streetlights. Meanwhile, skeptics question whether the federal government will see the project through or if it will become another abandoned initiative used for political gain.

 

CGC Nigeria Limited, the company handling the project, pledged to complete it on time and in line with international standards, while traditional rulers in Anambra welcomed the development, expressing hope that it would not suffer the fate of other delayed federal projects in the region.

 

With the government urging Anambra residents to support Tinubu for more dividends of democracy, the project has ignited debate over whether it is a genuine developmental effort or a calculated political gesture.