Building a Shared Future: Construction of Chinese-funded Niger River bridge underway

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02:31

All this focus from China on Africa has made a big impact on the continent. Peninah's here with more. Peninah, this investment is changing the landscape.

Indeed, there are enormous benefits being derived from China's close cooperation with Africa. In Niger, China is constructing a bridge over the Niger River. This large-scale project is a donation from the Chinese government. More details with Alexandria Majalla.

This is what the "General Seyni Kountché" bridge, in Niger, is expected to look like when construction works end in 2020.

China will spend an estimated 78 million dollars building the bridge over the Niger river.

Work at the third longest river in Africa started in July.

XIGUI DENG GENERAL MANAGER, CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY "The total length of the project is 3.6 km. The main bridge will be 928 m long. Part of the work for the foundations and scuppers has already been completed. For the bridge on the river connections, we completed about 50% of the work for the piles. We will begin work on the lower structures of the piles and the beam."

The bridge will be the third one built over the Niger River in the region. When completed, it will have a double-lane road on opposite directions of traffic. And the bridge will connect the Goudel and Lamordé districts located west of Niamey, but separated by the Niger River.

HAN LEI SENIOR ENGINEER "This is the biggest Chinese project in Niger. We are bringing Chinese technology for the realization of this major bridge and we are confident. Building materials are arriving on time, human resources too. Our problem is the liberation of the construction site by the natives, we are working with the government on that."

The project has also created much-needed employment in Niger's capital.

HASSAN OUMAROU LABORER "We work in good conditions. Every morning, we are told the task of the day and everyone focuses on it. We love this collaboration with the Chinese and we young people of the locality are also proud to contribute to the construction of this bridge in Niamey."

Once completed, the bridge will modernize the city, facilitate urban mobility and accelerate economic and social development. Alexandria Majalla, CGTN.