Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Federal Government has ordered a complete two-week closure of the First Niger Bridge, a critical national transport corridor linking Anambra and Delta states, to facilitate emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works. The closure, announced by the Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, will take effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, and is expected to last until Monday, September 21, 2026.
The decision follows a recent working visit by the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, who expressed serious concern over the deteriorated condition of the bridge, particularly its carriageway surface and critical components affected by vandalisation. According to the Acting Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, the affected components include portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts, which have been reportedly stolen by scavengers.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 4, Emenike disclosed that the contractor handling the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, Messrs SKECC, has been directed to immediately commence emergency maintenance works. The rehabilitation will involve the milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing and the laying of approximately 40mm of asphalt wearing course. The intervention will also include the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras to curb vandalism and enhance surveillance on the bridge.
Motorists and other road users have been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, as the preferred alternative throughout the closure period. The ministry has assured that appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers, and traffic-control personnel will be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users and construction personnel.
The ministry has strongly advised motorists to obey all temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, approach construction zones with caution, reduce speed, and avoid reckless overtaking. They are also encouraged to allow additional travel time for their journeys and plan accordingly. The emergency works will be carried out both day and night to ensure rapid completion and minimise the duration of the disruption.
The First Niger Bridge, a vital infrastructure completed in December 1965, has been a subject of concern for experts who have long warned that the ageing structure is a disaster waiting to happen. The bridge has become a byword for traffic congestion, with daily gridlocks, particularly during festive periods, subjecting the 1.4-kilometre stretch to immense pressure. The Federal Government's latest intervention aims to restore the bridge to a safe, smooth, and durable condition, significantly reducing the traffic difficulties currently experienced around the First Niger Bridge axis.
The ministry has apologised for the inconvenience the closure may cause to businesses and road users, stressing that the intervention is necessary in the overriding public interest to strengthen the integrity of the bridge for the safety of all. The temporary closure, though disruptive, represents a critical step in preserving one of Nigeria's most important transport links.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments