The Federal Ministry of Works has announced that the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State may reopen before the end of this week, following the completion of major rehabilitation works.
The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, gave the assurance while speaking with journalists on Wednesday as he clarified developments around the newly installed demarcations on the bridge.
According to Emenike, the major construction activities have been completed, with the remaining work largely involving finishing and safety-related installations ahead of the anticipated reopening.
He said the bridge had been tarred and critical components, including expansion bolts, had been fixed, while painting of the railings and installation of solar-lighting infrastructure were still being finalised.
Emenike explained that the reopening could take place before the end of the week if there were no unforeseen circumstances that disrupted the remaining activities.
The development is expected to provide relief to motorists and commuters who have faced longer travel times and increased transportation costs since the bridge was closed for emergency rehabilitation in September.
The First Niger Bridge, which was constructed in 1965, was shut to traffic after authorities discovered that critical structural components had been vandalised, including parts of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The original closure was scheduled to last from September 7 to September 21, but persistent rainfall disrupted construction activities and forced the Federal Ministry of Works to extend the completion timeline.
Works Minister David Umahi had subsequently warned that the bridge would not be reopened simply to meet a deadline, insisting that critical structural repairs had to be completed before motorists could return.
During an inspection on September 23, Umahi said the Federal Government would not allow pressure from motorists or other stakeholders to override safety considerations on the strategically important bridge.
The rehabilitation included replacing vandalised bolts and nuts as well as the specialised expansion joint that had been removed from the bridge.
The contractor, SKECC, also carried out repairs to damaged sections of the carriageway, while additional works were ordered to improve the bridge’s structural appearance and long-term safety.
Umahi also directed the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system expected to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
The Minister further ordered an assessment of the bridge’s structural components above and below water level to establish their condition and identify any additional areas requiring attention.
The rehabilitation became necessary against the backdrop of the bridge’s age and the discovery of vandalised components that could have posed safety risks if left unrepaired.
During the closure, motorists were directed towards the Second Niger Bridge and other alternative routes, placing additional pressure on surrounding roads.
The diversion created significant inconvenience for commuters and traders, particularly around Onitsha, a major commercial and distribution centre in southeastern Nigeria.
Some commuters reported spending several hours on journeys that would ordinarily take less than an hour, while transport operators increased fares because of longer routes and heavier congestion.
The Federal Road Safety Corps also deployed personnel and worked with other security agencies to manage traffic around the affected corridors during the rehabilitation period.
With the main construction work now completed, authorities say the remaining activities are focused on ensuring that the bridge is ready for safe and efficient use.
Emenike also dismissed reports that the newly installed bridge demarcations had been removed following public criticism, explaining that only designated openings were created to allow emergency U-turns and facilitate access for traffic and emergency agencies.
He said the demarcations remained in place and accused some individuals of circulating misleading images about the rehabilitation project.
The anticipated reopening would restore a crucial transport connection between Anambra and Delta while reducing pressure on alternative routes and improving movement around Onitsha and Asaba.
For businesses that depend on the movement of goods between the commercial hubs and other parts of the country, the return of normal traffic on the bridge could also help reduce delays and additional logistics costs.
However, the final reopening remains subject to completion of the remaining works and confirmation by the relevant authorities that the bridge is safe for motorists.
If the ministry’s latest timeline holds, motorists could regain access to the First Niger Bridge before the end of the week, bringing an end to weeks of disruption caused by the emergency rehabilitation.