22, September 2026
The Federal Government says the First Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States will remain closed to vehicular traffic until critical rehabilitation works on the facility are fully completed.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing repair works at the Onitsha Bridge Head.
Umahi said the decision to keep the bridge closed was in the interest of public safety, noting that government would not be pressured to reopen it prematurely.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” the minister said.
The bridge was shut for emergency repairs after engineers discovered extensive vandalism on key structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, which was initially scheduled to end on September 21, has been extended by one week due to persistent rainfall that hampered work progress.
According to the minister, the contractor handling the project has recorded significant progress within about 10 days of work. He said all vandalised bolts and nuts have been replaced and properly secured, while the specialised expansion joint that was stolen has been manufactured abroad and flown into the country for installation.
Umahi commended the contractor for the quality of work done so far but directed that additional rehabilitation works be incorporated into the project.
These include repainting of structural elements, bridge caps and internal carriageway areas, removal of all illegal billboards and advertisements mounted on the bridge structure, installation of additional solar-powered streetlights, and completion of CCTV surveillance cameras with linkage to the surveillance system on the Second Niger Bridge.
The minister also ordered a comprehensive empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural components both below and above the water level to ascertain its overall integrity.
He said the technical report is expected to be submitted before the completion of the current phase of rehabilitation.
On the approach roads to the bridge, Umahi directed a review of the plan to use asphalt. He said concrete should be used on sections that will later undergo full reconstruction to avoid wasteful spending.
“If we put asphalt now and destroy it later during reconstruction, government would be losing money.
“It is better to use concrete. We can open one carriageway after the concrete gains strength before moving to the other side,” he explained.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Anambra and Delta States, the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of work on the bridge.
Aniagwu recalled that the minister had inspected the bridge on August 28 and gave clear directives for replacement of the vandalised components, which have now been implemented.
He added that deteriorated portions of the asphaltic surface have been scarified and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We want to also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said, expressing confidence that the rehabilitation work will stand the test of time.
