BMO joins Nigerians to express joy, relief over 2nd Niger Bridge opening

The temporary opening of the second Niger Bridge for use during the festive season is a physical manifestation of a long-standing vision that several administrations lacked the necessary political will to actualize until President Muhammadu Buhari showed up.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the opening is a matter of intense joy and immense relief as it will bring succour to long-suffering motorists in that part of the country.

The group said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the temporary opening of the bridge will not only reduce the annual gridlock during the Christmas period, but also serve as a teaser for Nigerians to experience one of President Buhari’s major legacy to posterity.

“We have been monitoring the mood in South East Nigeria since Wednesday that minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola announced the partial opening of the 2nd Niger Bridge up till the day it was opened and we can still feel the collective sigh of relief by the people.

“And it is understandable. This is because the bridge had been used in every election campaign cycle to win votes by previous administrations until President Buhari came on the scene, and, with minimum fuss, began the project from scratch and completed it.

“And judging from the views of well meaning, average Nigerians from the region, the new bridge would be a game changer for economic development in the geo-political zone.

“We congratulate all Nigerians and also acknowledge Ohaneze Ndigbo’s applause and commendation for President Buhari for keeping faith with the people and delivering on his campaign promise.

“Of particular interest, also, is the comment of one Ifechukwu Emmanuel, who described himself as a strong critic of the Buhari administration but admitted that he could not deny the “good work” done on the bridge.

“We see it as a testament to how many people would see the man, Buhari, long after he would have left the Presidency”, the statement added.

The group pointed out that the 2nd Niger Bridge is just one of the monuments of development President Buhari is putting in place across the country.

“We make bold to say that the period between 2015 and 2023 would go down in the nation’s history as a time of remarkable improvement in the nation’s infrastructural landscape.

“From bridges and roads to railway projects and electricity power solutions across the country, the Buhari administration has continued to prove doubters wrong by doing the most at a time of global economic crisis.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there was no time in the four-year duration of the construction of the bridge that the project suffered a delay or was suspended as a result of inadequate funding.

“it shows that Nigeria has the capacity to create the right environment for appropriate leadership to emerge, like in the case of President Buhari.

“What is left is for the people to ensure that key members of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who played some roles in holding the country back from having the necessary infrastructure to spark economic development do not get the opportunity to return to the saddle”.

The group also reaffirmed its earlier position that President Buhari would leave the country better than he met it in 2015.