By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: The Federal Government is keeping the First Niger Bridge closed to traffic as rehabilitation work continues on structural components damaged by vandalism and years of deterioration.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, stated this on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing intervention at the Onitsha Bridge Head, saying the facility would not be reopened merely to meet a previously announced deadline.
According to the minister, the priority is to complete the major structural aspects of the rehabilitation before allowing motorists back on the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
The bridge was shut on September 7 for emergency repairs after an inspection revealed that vandals had removed critical components, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion-joint steelwork. The original September 21 reopening date was subsequently pushed back by one week after persistent rainfall disrupted construction activities.
Umahi said the contractor, SKECC, had replaced and secured the affected bolts, while the specialised expansion joint removed from the bridge had been manufactured and brought into Nigeria for installation.
He commended the progress achieved within about 10 days but maintained that the pace of work would not override safety considerations.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
Beyond the immediate repairs, the minister directed the contractor to undertake additional work on the bridge, including repainting structural components, bridge caps and sections of the internal carriageway.
He also ordered the removal of unauthorised advertisements from the facility and directed that additional solar-powered streetlights be installed. CCTV cameras being deployed on the bridge are to be completed and connected to the surveillance system on the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further requested a detailed assessment of structural elements both above and below the waterline. The assessment, he said, would help establish the condition of the bridge and guide decisions on the remaining rehabilitation work.
The minister also raised concerns over the proposed treatment of the bridge approaches. He directed a review of plans to use asphalt on portions that would later be reconstructed, suggesting concrete for such sections to avoid removing newly laid asphalt when subsequent reconstruction begins.
He said the approach could also allow one carriageway to be opened once the concrete achieves the required strength, while work continues on the other.
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who spoke on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, commended the Federal Government for the progress of the intervention.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and subsequently directed the replacement of the vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said those directives had been acted upon and that damaged sections of the asphalt surface had also been removed 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.
The commissioner said the rehabilitation had already produced noticeable improvements on the bridge and expressed confidence in the quality and durability of the work.
The bridge is expected to reopen once the outstanding rehabilitation works are completed, with the revised September 28 target subject to weather conditions and the completion of safety-critical interventions.
