The Federal Ministry of Works has indicated that the First Niger Bridge, linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, may reopen to traffic before the end of the week.
The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists about the progress of rehabilitation work on the bridge.
Emenike said major construction activities had been completed, with only finishing works, including the painting of the bridge railings, still ongoing.
He said, “Barring unforeseen circumstances, the bridge could be reopened before the end of the week.
“The major rehabilitation activities have been completed. What is left are finishing works such as the painting of the railings and the installation of some supporting infrastructure and safety facilities.”
The controller explained that work on the bridge had included road tarring, asphalt laying and the replacement of expansion bolts, while provisions were also being made for the installation of solar lighting.
“All construction works relating to road tarring, asphalt laying, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed. The bolts for the solar light poles are currently being fixed,” he added.
The First Niger Bridge was closed to traffic on September 7 following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including parts of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure was initially scheduled to last until September 21 but was extended by one week because of persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.
During an inspection of the bridge on September 23, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had said the facility would not be reopened until critical structural rehabilitation was completed.
Umahi had stated, “We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved.”
The prolonged closure forced motorists to use the Second Niger Bridge and other alternative routes, leading to longer journeys and increased transportation and logistics costs.
Emenike said reopening the bridge would ease the pressure on motorists and improve traffic movement around Onitsha.
He said, “Motorists will heave a sigh of relief when the bridge is reopened. All the necessary infrastructure to ensure the free flow of traffic has been put in place.
“The rehabilitation was carried out to ease traffic and, most importantly, ensure the safety of road users.”
The controller also dismissed reports that newly installed demarcations on the bridge had been removed or destroyed.
He described photographs circulating on social media as fake, saying the demarcations remained intact except at designated points created to allow emergency U-turns.
He said, “The alleged removal of the brick demarcation is one of the lies being circulated by some disgruntled elements using fake pictures to discredit the ministry and mislead the public.”
The First Niger Bridge was constructed in 1965 and remains an important transport link between the South-East and South-South regions, particularly for commuters and businesses operating around Onitsha and Asaba.
