“In 10 weeks, Buhari will open the Loko-Owote Bridge and connect the roadways” – Fashola

The Loko-Oweto Bridge and Link Roads, which connect the states of Benue and Nasarawa, will be officially opened by President Muhammadu Buhari in ten weeks, according to Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing.

The Minister made this statement on Tuesday during a press conference with reporters after seeing the ongoing construction projects along the Nasarawa-Loko Road.

His words, “The 2.2km Loko-Oweto Bridge has been completed; the installation of road signs and other necessary fittings were the only things delaying the inauguration of the bridge and link roads.”

Assuring that the projects would be “finished development,” he said as much.

“I can certainly claim that we now have a bridge across the River Benue and almost 70 kilometers of roads linking Benue State to Nasarawa,” the minister said in response to questioning from reporters. In addition, we constructed a 74 km long road that connects Nasarawa and Benue to the FCT.

“The bridge was completed two and half years ago but we were waiting to connect the link roads. In 2016, I remember it used to take four and half hours from Mabushi in Abuja to get here but today we took two hours and 30 minutes from Mabushi to get here.

“The link road is substantially finished now and I think I can report to Mr president that this bridge is ready to be formally opened to traffic. There are two bridges, one is 2.055 kilometres and the second is 800 metres, traversing the entire length of the river.

“We will tidy up what we need to do. We will install road signs, asphalting of shoulders and a few wearing cost materials. So in another four to ten weeks, we should be ready to come.

“It is important to inform Nigerians that those who speak about production and economy should come here to learn what infrastructure does.”

On the level of work done, Fashola said, “I think your cameras will tell the story better but clearly this is another intervention of the President Buhari administration on infrastructure.

“Understandably, there is a lot of emotions and excitement going on about the Second Niger Bridge. People forget that the bridge crosses the River Niger and it is an East-West crossing as it links the east of Nigeria to the western part of Nigeria.

“There is also a second major river in Nigeria, the River Benue. It is a North-South crossing. So, whilst there is a lot of publicity and excitement about the second Niger Bridge, perhaps not enough attention has been beamed to the Loko-Oweto Bridge.

“Due to this infrastructure, markets have sprung up a sawmill, eatery and a mining site are fully operational. We are seeing economic improvement,” he added.