The First Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta states is expected to reopen next week after the Federal Ministry of Works extended the rehabilitation timeline by one week because of persistent rainfall.
The bridge was originally scheduled to reopen on September 21 but remained closed as engineers continued work on critical structural components damaged by vandalism.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the government would not reopen the bridge until the rehabilitation works had reached the required stage, with one carriageway potentially opening first while work continues on the other.
The rehabilitation followed the removal of structural components, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion joints, by vandals. The ongoing work includes replacing the damaged components, repairs to the carriageway and walkways, installation of CCTV cameras and streetlights, and other structural improvements.
Umahi also directed the removal of illegal advertisements from the bridge after the rehabilitation and ordered that the structure be decorated with pictures of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister linked the directive to the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure projects in the South-East and used the inspection to appeal to voters in the region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He also challenged supporters of Peter Obi to identify projects attracted to the South-East by the former Anambra governor.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Umahi directed the governors of Anambra and Delta states to strengthen monitoring of scrap markets in their states to curb the theft of components from public infrastructure.
He also said dredging activities around the bridge could be restricted where necessary and that further structural assessments would be conducted to ensure the facility remains safe.
The minister warned against placing security checkpoints within 200 metres of the bridge, saying such checkpoints could worsen traffic and put additional pressure on the structure.
He apologised to motorists for the disruption caused by the closure and acknowledged the cooperation of the Anambra and Delta state governments during the rehabilitation.
Discussion0