Motorists and commuters using the Onitsha-Asaba corridor may get relief this week as the Federal Government prepares to reopen the First Niger Bridge following the completion of major rehabilitation works.
The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, said the bridge could reopen before the end of the week, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Emenike disclosed this on Wednesday while clarifying the openings created along the newly installed demarcation on the bridge.
He said major works, including asphalt laying, repairs to expansion bolts and other critical structural components, had been completed, while the painting of railings and installation of some supporting infrastructure were being finalised.
“The ongoing finishing works, like the painting of railings, indicate that the major rehabilitation activities have been completed,” Emenike said.
“Barring ‘unforeseen circumstances’, the bridge could be reopened before the end of the week.”
The bridge, which links Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, was closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 for emergency rehabilitation after vandalised structural components, including expansion-joint steelwork, were discovered.
The closure was later extended by a week because of persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had during an inspection of the bridge on September 23 insisted that it would not be reopened until critical structural repairs were completed.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said at the time.
According to Emenike, the remaining works include painting of the railings and installation of solar light poles, while measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and smooth movement of traffic when the bridge reopens.
“All construction works that have to do with road tarring, laying of asphalt, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed,” he said.
He said reopening the bridge would ease pressure on alternative routes, particularly the Second Niger Bridge, to which traffic had been diverted during the closure.
Meanwhile, Emenike dismissed claims that the newly installed brick demarcations on the bridge had been removed or destroyed.
He said the demarcations remained in place, except at designated openings created to allow emergency U-turns, accusing some individuals of circulating fake photographs to discredit the ministry.
“The alleged removal of the brick demarcation ... 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.
The First Niger Bridge was built in 1965 and remains a major transport link between Onitsha and Asaba, supporting the movement of commuters, goods and businesses across the two states.
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