The Federal Government has announced that the First Niger Bridge, linking Anambra and Delta states, will reopen to traffic next week following completion of key rehabilitation works.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing repairs at the Onitsha Bridge Head.
The bridge was closed earlier this month after vandals removed critical components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork. The closure, initially scheduled to end September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall.
Umahi said contractor SKECC has made significant progress, noting that vandalised bolts have been replaced and properly secured, while the specialised expansion joint removed by vandals has been manufactured and imported for installation.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said.
He directed additional works including repainting of structural components, removal of illegal adverts, installation of solar-powered streetlights and completion of CCTV cameras linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
He also ordered an empirical assessment of the bridge’s elements above and below water level, and directed that concrete be used instead of asphalt on approach sections slated for future reconstruction to avoid waste.
Umahi said one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attains required strength while work continues on the other.
Delta State Commissioner for Works, Charles Aniagwu, commended the speed and quality of work, recalling that Umahi inspected the bridge on August 28 and ordered replacement of vandalised components.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience,” Aniagwu said.
