Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The First Niger Bridge will remain closed to traffic until at least September 28, 2026, after the Federal Government extended the rehabilitation period by one week and ordered additional structural repairs and safety checks, delaying the reopening of the critical link between Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State for the second time in a fortnight.
The bridge was closed on September 7 for what was initially scheduled as a two-week emergency rehabilitation exercise following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of the expansion-joint steelwork. The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, said persistent heavy rainfall had disrupted construction activities and affected sections of work already completed, requiring contractors to have at least three consecutive dry days before they could resume full-scale operations. “We have actually done a lot of work on most portions of the bridge, but with the constant heavy rains for almost one week, some areas have been affected and need at least three dry days for us to return to site,” Emenike said. He confirmed that the rehabilitation would be inspected by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, before the bridge is reopened to traffic, and appealed to motorists and commuters to continue using the Second Niger Bridge and other approved alternative routes.
Umahi, who inspected the ongoing works on Wednesday at the Onitsha Bridge Head, said the government would not reopen the bridge until critical structural components identified for rehabilitation had been properly repaired. “We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said. The minister commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded within approximately ten days, saying the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured. He disclosed that a specialised expansion joint stolen from the bridge had been manufactured and flown into the country for installation. He described the quality of work achieved within the period as commendable but stressed that safety would not be compromised for expediency. “We apologise for the inconvenience to our people, but it is for their own good,” Umahi said, commending the governors of Delta and Anambra states for their support and the provision of alternative routes during the closure.
The minister issued a series of additional directives that extended the scope of the rehabilitation beyond the original emergency repairs. These include repainting the bridge’s structural elements, kerbs and internal carriageway areas; removing illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge; and installing additional solar-powered streetlights. He directed the completion of the CCTV infrastructure on the bridge, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge, and ordered an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements both below and above the water level to determine their condition. A committee was constituted to conduct the underwater inspection, with its report to be submitted before the completion of the current phase of work. On the bridge approaches, Umahi directed a change in specification, ordering that concrete be used instead of asphalt for 100 metres on either side of the bridge. He explained that the decision was necessary because the adjoining section under the contractor’s scope was also being reconstructed with concrete, and that using asphalt would result in spending money on a surface that would subsequently be destroyed during the reconstruction of the approaches. He said that after the bridge is reopened, one carriageway would be closed for 21 days to allow the concrete to cure before the process is repeated on the other carriageway.
The extended closure has compounded the hardship faced by commuters and commercial operators who depend on the bridge daily. The First Niger Bridge is a major transport link between southeastern and south-southern Nigeria, and its closure has significantly increased travel times, traffic congestion and transportation costs on alternative routes. Motorists and commuters have faced heavy delays, with many using the Onitsha-Owerri Road and the Nkpor-Old Road-Obosi route to access the Second Niger Bridge. Some travellers have been seen trekking from vehicles around diversion points, while others have resorted to commercial boats to continue their journeys across the Niger River. The Federal Government had advised road users to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba and other destinations during the rehabilitation period. The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency also advised motorists to plan their trips early and follow directives from traffic officers on the ground.
The rehabilitation works, which began under an emergency contract awarded on September 7, include the replacement of vandalised railings, bolts and nuts, sections of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel-truss components, alongside the installation of CCTV cameras and other improvements aimed at restoring the bridge to safe operating condition. The vandalism of critical structural components was discovered during routine inspections and raised alarm about the vulnerability of the over-50-year-old bridge to theft and sabotage. Umahi had previously described the removal of bolts and expansion joints as dangerous and warned that such acts could compromise the structural integrity of the facility.
The delay in reopening the bridge has drawn mixed reactions. The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who spoke on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, commended the Federal Government for the intervention and the speed of work. He recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and issued directives for the replacement of vandalised components, and said those directives had been implemented, with sections of the deteriorated asphalt surface also scarified and replaced. “We are pleased with the speed of work. We want to also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said, expressing confidence that the rehabilitation would stand the test of time. However, commuters and transport operators have expressed frustration at the repeated extensions, which they say have disrupted their livelihoods and increased their operating costs. Many had expected the bridge to reopen on September 21 and had planned their activities around that date.
The First Niger Bridge, also known as the Onitsha Head Bridge, has served as a vital artery connecting Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions since its completion in the 1960s. The Second Niger Bridge, commissioned in 2023, has absorbed much of the diverted traffic, but congestion on alternative routes remains severe, particularly during peak hours and in adverse weather conditions. The Federal Government has said the rehabilitation is necessary to prevent a catastrophic failure and to ensure that the bridge remains safe for public use. As Umahi put it, the government will not be stampeded into reopening the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved. For now, the bridge will remain closed until at least September 28, subject to favourable weather and the completion of the repairs, and commuters will continue to navigate the alternative routes that have become a daily ordeal for thousands of travellers between Onitsha and Asaba.
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