The Federal Government has announced plans to reopen the First Niger Bridge to motorists next week following substantial progress in the ongoing rehabilitation of the key link between Anambra and Delta states.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday after inspecting the repair works at the Onitsha Bridge Head.
The bridge was shut earlier in September after vandals reportedly removed essential structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork.
Although the bridge was initially scheduled to reopen on September 21, the deadline was extended by a week due to persistent rainfall, which affected the pace of repairs.
Umahi said the contractor, SKECC, had made significant progress, including replacing and securing the vandalised bolts.
He also confirmed that the specialised expansion joint removed from the bridge by vandals had been manufactured and transported to Nigeria for installation.
Despite the progress recorded within about 10 days, the minister said the bridge would only be reopened after the necessary safety and structural works had been completed.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
He directed the contractor to carry out additional improvements, including repainting structural components, bridge caps and sections of the internal carriageway, as well as removing unauthorised advertisements from the facility.
The minister also ordered the installation of more solar-powered streetlights and completion of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system expected to be connected to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further directed that a comprehensive assessment be carried out on the bridge’s structural components above and below the water level to determine their current condition.
He said the assessment report must be submitted before the ongoing phase of rehabilitation is concluded.
On the bridge approaches, the minister directed officials to reassess the proposed asphalt works and consider concrete for sections likely to require reconstruction in the future.
According to him, the measure would help prevent government funds from being spent on asphalt that could later be removed when reconstruction begins.
He added that one carriageway could be opened to traffic once the concrete achieves the required strength, while rehabilitation works continue on the other carriageway.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and directed the immediate replacement of the vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said the directives had been implemented, while damaged sections of the asphalt surface had also been removed and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner said the rehabilitation had significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence that the completed works would provide a durable solution.
He also commended motorists and other road users for their cooperation and patience during the rehabilitation exercise.
