By Angela Oduche
The Executive Committee of Ogbunike Community, led by the President General of the Ogbunike Progressive Union, Chief Tochchukwu Obiakor, has paid an inspection visit to the ongoing construction of the Second Niger Bridge, to assess the progress of work and engage with project officials.
The delegation, comprising key community stakeholders and union executive, visited the project site with the aim of gaining firsthand information on the pace of construction and its potential impact on the host communities.
During the visit, Chief Obiakor expressed satisfaction with the level of work completed so far, commending the Federal Government and contractors for their commitment to delivering the project.
He noted that the bridge, when fully completed, would significantly boost economic activities, ease traffic congestion, and improve connectivity between the South-East and other parts of the country.
“This project is of great importance not just to Ogbunike but to the entire nation. We are pleased with the progress and hopeful for its timely completion,” he said.
The President General also emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between the construction company and host communities to ensure a smooth execution of the project.
He called for sustained engagement, particularly in addressing environmental and social concerns arising from the construction activities.
Members of the delegation were taken on a guided tour of key sections of the project, where engineers provided updates on ongoing works, timelines, and safety measures being implemented on site.
Leaders of Ifite Village, one of the host communities directly affected by the project—shared their perspectives on the development.
Hon. Obinna Oduche, Chairman of Ifite Village, acknowledged the importance of the bridge project but raised concerns about the condition of access roads within the community.
“We appreciate the Federal Government for this landmark project. However, the road within Ifite Village, which serves as a major access route to this project, is in a poor state.
We appeal that urgent attention be given to it to ease movement for our people and support the ongoing construction,” he said.
The Secretary of Ifite Village, Mr. Chiadiofu Emeka emphasized the need for better engagement with community members, noting that consistent communication would help address emerging concerns promptly.
“There should be regular interaction between the contractors and the host community. This will help to build trust and ensure that issues affecting residents are handled quickly and amicably,” he said.
Also speaking, the youth leader of Ifite Village, Mr Chidubem Oguelina reiterated the community’s support for the project while calling for inclusive development.
“We are fully in support of this project because of its benefits, but the government and contractors must not overlook the needs of the host communities. Development should be all-encompassing,” he added.
Some community members who spoke during the visit further highlighted the expected socio-economic benefits of the bridge, including improved transportation, increased trade opportunities, and enhanced regional development.
The Second Niger Bridge project remains one of Nigeria’s most significant infrastructure developments, expected to serve as a major alternative route to the existing Niger Bridge and reduce travel time for commuters and transporters.
The visit by the Ogbunike community leadership underscores the growing interest of host communities in major infrastructure projects, as stakeholders continue to advocate for transparency, inclusion, and shared benefits in national development initiatives.
Angela is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
