RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
Minister of Works David Umahi says the First Niger Bridge will remain closed to traffic until critical structural repairs are completed, insisting that safety will determine when the bridge reopens.
Umahi spoke on Wednesday at the Onitsha Bridge Head after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
The Federal Government closed the bridge for emergency rehabilitation following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, initially expected to end on September 21, was extended by one week following persistent rainfall.
Umahi commended contractor SKECC for the progress recorded, saying vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, while a specialised expansion joint that was stolen had been manufactured and flown into the country for installation.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
The minister also directed the contractor to undertake additional work, including repainting structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas and removing illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge.
He ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and completion of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further directed that an empirical assessment of structural elements below and above the water level be conducted to determine the condition of the bridge.
He said the assessment report should be submitted before the completion of the current phase of rehabilitation.
On the bridge approaches, Umahi directed a review of plans to use asphalt, saying concrete should instead be deployed on sections scheduled for subsequent reconstruction.
He said this would avoid spending public funds on asphalt that would later have to be removed during reconstruction.
According to the minister, one carriageway could be reopened after the concrete attained the required strength before work begins on the other.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi inspected the bridge on August 28 and directed the replacement of vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said those directives had been implemented, while deteriorated 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.
He said the rehabilitation had improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence in the durability of the work.
