Olusegun ARIYO

The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, has officially announced the closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha to commence repair works.

The closure comes after last week’s visit by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who inspected a vandalised section of the bridge, where bolts and iron rods had been stolen by scavengers.

An official press release by the ministry’s field office in Anambra, signed by the State Controller, Mr Timothy Emenike, noted that the bridge would be closed for two weeks, starting Monday, 7 September 2026.

The release reads: “The attention of the general public, motorists and other road users is hereby drawn to the deteriorated condition of the First Niger Bridge, Onitsha, particularly the carriageway surface and certain bridge components affected by vandalism, including portions of the expansion joint steelworks and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts.

“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, expressed concern over the condition of the bridge and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works to restore the facility to a safe and properly motorable condition.

“Accordingly, Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been directed to immediately commence emergency maintenance works on the First Niger Bridge.

“The First Niger Bridge will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, 7” September 2026, and the emergency maintenance works are expected to be completed by Monday, 21st September 2026. In view of the nature and urgency of the intervention, motorists and other road users are hereby advised and directed to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State and other destinations beyond, throughout the closure period.

“Appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers, traffic-control personnel and other necessary safety measures will be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users, construction personnel and other members of the public.

“Motorists are strongly advised to obey all temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, approach the construction and diversion zones with caution, reduce speed and avoid reckless overtaking.”

The ministry said part of the work to be done on the bridge includes milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing, laying of approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course and necessary associated maintenance and safety works on the bridge.

Also, the maintenance will include the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television, CCTV) cameras to monitor the activities of vandals on the bridge, and the installation and deployment of appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures to ensure safety, smooth driving and significantly reduce the traffic difficulties currently experienced around the First Niger Bridge axis.