RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
The reopening of the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, has been delayed by another week following persistent rainfall that disrupted ongoing rehabilitation works.
The bridge was scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 21, after being closed for two weeks to allow emergency repairs and maintenance.
However, heavy rainfall has affected some sections of the work, forcing the Federal Ministry of Works to extend the completion timeline, according to the ministry’s Anambra State Field Headquarters.
The Acting Federal Controller of Works in the state, Timothy Emenike, said the contractor needed at least three consecutive dry days to resume some of the outstanding works.
“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,” Mr Emenike said.
He said the completion date had been extended by one week, subject to favourable weather conditions.
The official added that once the work was completed, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, would inspect the bridge before authorising its reopening.
The Federal Government had announced the closure of the bridge from September 7 to 21 to enable contractors to carry out emergency repairs.
The rehabilitation includes replacement of vandalised railings, bolts and nuts, portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion and steel-truss components.
The project also involves the installation of closed-circuit television cameras and other maintenance works aimed at improving the safety and condition of the bridge.
Motorists were advised to use the Second Niger Bridge and other alternative routes during the closure.
A site engineer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the repair of the vandalised bolts a, nd nuts had been completed, but work had reached the asphalt stage.
He said repeated rainfall had caused significant delays.
“Each time there is rainfall for a day, the job is delayed for two days or more,” he said.
According to the engineer, the rain also affected the delivery of materials, including asphalt needed for the remaining work.
He added that inadequate lighting had previously affected night operations because of concerns about workers’ safety and the security of construction materials.
Mr Emenike, however, said the lighting challenge had been addressed and that security concerns around the bridge had also been resolved.
Commuters face fresh hardship
The delay has prolonged the traffic and transportation difficulties faced by motorists and commuters using the Onitsha-Asaba corridor.
During a visit to the bridge on Monday, construction equipment and machinery were still stationed on the bridge while workers carried out various activities.
Some completed sections of the bridge were also reportedly affected by the persistent rainfall.
Motorists approaching from the Asaba end faced delays as commuters diverted to alternative routes, including the Onitsha-Owerri Road.
Some passengers were seen alighting from vehicles near diversion points and trekking to continue their journeys, while others resorted to commercial boats.
A motorist, Uchenna Orji, said the diversion had caused significant hardship for road users.
He acknowledged the need for the repairs but said the alternative routes should have been improved before the bridge was closed.
Another commuter, Nkiruka Ozo, said journeys that normally took less than 45 minutes now lasted more than three hours because of congestion and poor road conditions on some alternative routes.
She also said transport fares had increased significantly since the closure.
“We urge the authorities concerned to speed up the work,” she said.
The Federal Ministry of Works said the bridge would be reopened as soon as the rehabilitation works were completed and weather conditions permitted.
