The First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, is expected to reopen to motorists next week following a maintenance exercise that has kept the bridge closed for nearly three weeks.
The maintenance work, which was initially scheduled for completion last week, was extended by another week due to more than a week of sustained rainfall in the area, which affected the pace of work.
The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who inspected the level of work on the bridge after the expiration of the initial deadline, said the bridge would officially reopen to motorists next week.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress of the rehabilitation work, which includes the installation of closed-circuit television cameras and streetlights, removal and reconstruction of sections of the asphalt carriageway and walkways, and replacement of expansion joints, bolts and other components.
The minister also announced measures aimed at protecting the bridge from activities that could undermine its structural integrity.
He said illegal advertisements on the bridge would be removed and that the Ministry of Works would regulate any future advertising activities.
Umahi said the bridge would, for now, be decorated with pictures of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he credited with supporting projects in the South-East.
He also urged supporters of former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi to highlight projects they believed Obi had attracted to the South-East, while calling on the people of the region to support the Tinubu administration in the 2027 elections.
He said, “Once we are done with work on this bridge, I want all the illegal adverts on this bridge removed. Anyone who wants to advertise should apply to the Ministry of Works. For now, the bridge will be decorated with the pictures of President Tinubu.
“The President has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures. I want to say to Ndigbo that we should not throw away our votes in 2027. In the last election, we did not vote for him so well, yet he is bringing projects to our region.
“I have a bragging right in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and I’m proud of him and will be willing to show anyone who wants to know all that he has done. Peter Obi is our brother and we do not hate him, but we need to be realistic this time. I don’t care about people abusing me on social media; they should only tell us what Obi has attracted to the South-East.
“We will be here next week to open the bridge, and I want to say that we will write to the security chiefs to tell them that there would be no need for any checkpoint 200 metres from this bridge because it causes traffic on the bridge, which is not good for its health.
“Also, we will write to the governors of Anambra and Delta States and tell them to monitor the scrap market closely. When I was governor, I banned all scrap activities in Ebonyi State because they contribute to the vandalisation of public infrastructure.”
Umahi also announced a ban on dredging activities around the bridge, warning that such activities could compromise its structural integrity.
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The minister said he was satisfied with the quality and progress of the rehabilitation work carried out so far.
He said the rehabilitation had addressed several critical components of the bridge and would improve its durability and safety for motorists.
He said, “We thank the people for their patience. The bridge is not just healthier, but will last longer now and motorists will enjoy driving on it. We thank the governors of Anambra and Delta States for their commitment and support to the rehabilitation of the bridge. Anambra had to work with the Ministry of Works for the bypass, and we apologise for the inconveniences, but it was for their good.
“The bolts that were lost have been replaced, expansion joints have been manufactured and flown in by air and replaced. The company has done beautiful work. We will, however, not be stampeded into opening the bridge until the full structural works have been done.
“We will add the painting of the kerbs, and all the metal elements on the bridge will be repainted. We will reconstruct the entrance and exit of the bridge with concrete. When we open the bridge next week, it will only be for one carriageway. After 21 days, we will open it fully and work on the other side.”
