The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, has officially announced the closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha to commence repair works.
The closure comes after last week’s visit by the Minister of
Works, Dave Umahi, who inspected a vandalised section of the bridge, where
bolts and iron rods had been stolen by scavengers.
An official press release by the ministry’s field office in
Anambra, signed by the State Controller, Mr Timothy Emenike, noted that the
bridge would be closed for two weeks, starting Monday, 7 September 2026.
The release read: “The attention of the general public,
motorists and other road users is hereby drawn to the deteriorated condition of
the First Niger Bridge, Onitsha, particularly the carriageway surface and
certain bridge components affected by vandalism, including portions of the
expansion joint steelworks and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts.
“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the
Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, expressed concern over the condition of
the bridge and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance and
rehabilitation works to restore the facility to a safe and properly motorable
condition.
“Accordingly, Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km
0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been
directed to immediately commence emergency maintenance works on the First Niger
Bridge.
“The First Niger Bridge will be fully closed to traffic from
Monday, 7” September 2026, and the emergency maintenance works are expected to
be completed by Monday, 21st September 2026. In view of the nature and urgency
of the intervention, motorists and other road users are hereby advised and
directed to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba,
Delta State and other destinations beyond, throughout the closure period.
“Appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs,
safety barriers, traffic-control personnel and other necessary safety measures
will be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users,
construction personnel and other members of the public.
“Motorists are strongly advised to obey all temporary
traffic signs and diversion instructions, approach the construction and
diversion zones with caution, reduce speed and avoid reckless overtaking.”
The ministry said part of the work to be done on the bridge
includes milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing,
laying of approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course and necessary associated
maintenance and safety works on the bridge.
Also, the maintenance will include the installation of
solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television, CCTV, cameras to
monitor the activities of vandals on the bridge, installation and deployment of
appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures with the objective to ensure
safety, smooth driving and significantly reduce the traffic difficulties
currently experienced around the First Niger Bridge axis.
The ministry said the work will be done day and night to
ensure speed. It apologised for the inconvenience the closure will cause
businesses and road users, promising to strengthen the integrity of the bridge
for the safety of all.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com