First Niger Bridge Set to Reopen Next Week After Rehabilitation Works

ByMaryann Uchenna


The Federal Government has announced that the First Niger Bridge will reopen to traffic next week following ongoing rehabilitation work on the major bridge linking Anambra and Delta states. Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance after inspecting rehabilitation works at the Onitsha Bridge Head. The bridge was closed earlier this month after the discovery that critical structural components had been vandalised, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion-joint steelwork. The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended by one week after persistent rainfall affected the rehabilitation schedule. Umahi said significant progress had been made, including the replacement and securing of vandalised bolts. He also disclosed that the specialised expansion joint removed by vandals had been manufactured and brought into Nigeria for installation. The minister, however, stressed that the bridge would not be reopened at the expense of safety. Additional works ordered at the facility include repainting sections of the bridge, removing illegal advertisements, installing additional solar-powered streetlights and completing CCTV cameras. The surveillance system is expected to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge. Umahi also directed that the structural elements of the bridge, both above and below water level, undergo an empirical assessment. The First Niger Bridge is an important transport link between the South-East and South-South regions, and its closure has affected motorists and businesses using the route. The Works Ministry said the rehabilitation would continue to prioritise structural safety before the bridge is reopened to traffic. The planned reopening is therefore expected to bring relief to road users who have been affected by the temporary closure.

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