First Niger Bridge set to reopen next week after safety works

The Federal Government says the First Niger Bridge will reopen to traffic next week after the completion of key rehabilitation works on the structure linking Anambra and Delta states. Works Minister David Umahi gave the assurance on Wednesday after inspecting repairs at the Onitsha Bridge Head. The bridge was closed earlier this month after bolts, nuts and parts of its expansion-joint steelwork were removed by vandals.

Umahi said contractor SKECC had replaced and secured the vandalised bolts, while the specialised expansion joint had been manufactured and brought into the country for installation. The reopening had initially been expected on September 21 but was delayed by a further week because of persistent rainfall. The minister said safety would take precedence over pressure to resume traffic.

He directed additional work, including repainting structural components, caps and internal carriageway sections, and removing illegal advertisements. He also ordered more solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras linked to the Second Niger Bridge. Umahi further requested an assessment of the bridge’s structural elements above and below the waterline, with a report to be submitted before the rehabilitation phase ends.

He also directed a review of asphalt plans on the approaches, saying concrete should be used where future reconstruction could otherwise require the removal of new asphalt. He said one carriageway could open after concrete reached the required strength while work continued on the other. Delta State Works Commissioner Charles Aniagwu welcomed the pace of repairs, saying damaged asphalt had also been removed and replaced.

He credited motorists and other road users with helping the work proceed.