First Niger Bridge Set To Reopen As Major Rehabilitation Works End

The First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State is set to reopen to traffic before the end of this week, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Federal Government has said.

The Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the progress of the rehabilitation works and the newly installed demarcations on the bridge.

The assurance is coming after weeks of uncertainty over the reopening of the bridge, which has been undergoing emergency rehabilitation and maintenance following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including parts of its expansion-joint steelwork.

The bridge, built in 1965, was initially closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 to allow the emergency works to be carried out. However, the closure was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.

During an on-the-spot inspection of the bridge on September 23, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had said the Federal Government would not reopen the bridge until critical structural rehabilitation works were completed.

Umahi had stressed that the government would not be pressured into reopening the bridge before the necessary repairs were completed.

“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said.

The prolonged closure increased pressure on motorists and commuters who were diverted to the Second Niger Bridge, leading to longer travel times, higher transportation costs and increased pressure on alternative inner routes.

However, Emenike said motorists could soon heave a sigh of relief, noting that major rehabilitation activities, including the tarring of the bridge, had been completed, while the painting of the railings was ongoing.

He said the bridge could be reopened before the end of the week if there were no unforeseen circumstances.

“The railing-painting exercise, which began last week, is expected to be completed shortly. Barring ‘unforeseen circumstances’, the bridge could be reopened before the end of the week.

“The ongoing finishing works, like the painting of railings, indicate that the major rehabilitation activities have been completed. Some supporting infrastructure and safety-related installations like solar light poles are being finalised before full reopening,” Emenike said.

He added that all major works involving road tarring, asphalt laying, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components had been completed, with the bolts for the solar light poles being installed.

“All construction works that have to do with road tarring, laying of asphalt, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed. The bolts for the solar light poles are being fixed,” he said.

According to the controller, the reopening of the bridge would provide significant relief to motorists and residents who had experienced disruptions during the rehabilitation period.

“Motorists will heave a sigh of relief when the bridge is reopened soon. All the necessary infrastructure to ensure free flow of traffic have been put in place. The rehabilitation works carried out were aimed at easing traffic and ensuring the safety of road users,” Emenike said.

On the newly installed brick demarcations on the bridge, Emenike dismissed reports that they had been removed or destroyed.

Although he could not confirm whether photographs of President Bola Tinubu would be installed at the bridge before its reopening, as directed by Umahi during his inspection, he accused some individuals of circulating fake photographs to discredit the ministry.

“The alleged removal of the brick demarcation that was installed after the bridge rehabilitation is one of the lies some disgruntled elements are telling and posting with fake pictures on social media to discredit the ministry and deceive the public,” he said.

Emenike explained that the demarcations remained intact, except at designated openings created to allow emergency U-turns.

The rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge is expected to ease traffic pressure on the Second Niger Bridge and alternative routes while improving the movement of people and goods around Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State.

An Onitsha resident and motorist, Uche Adieme, said reopening the bridge would help reduce the pressure on alternative routes and improve movement within and around the commercial city.

“For road users, the reopening is significant because the First Niger Bridge remains an important transport link for people travelling within and around Onitsha.

“Prolonged restrictions on the bridge have affected daily commuting and placed additional pressure on alternative routes.

“The diversion of traffic to the Second Niger Bridge has provided an alternative route, but reopening the rehabilitated crossing would help distribute traffic more efficiently and reduce the pressure created by concentrating movements on a limited number of routes,” Adieme said.

He added that the reopening would also have implications for commercial activities in Onitsha, a major trading and distribution centre, where efficient road connectivity is essential for the movement of goods, workers and consumers.