The First Niger Bridge will not be reopened to traffic until major structural rehabilitation works are completed, Minister of Works David Umahi has said.
Key Highlights
- The First Niger Bridge will remain closed until critical structural repairs are completed.
- The bridge was shut after the discovery of vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
- The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, has been extended by one week due to persistent rainfall.
- The stolen specialised expansion joint has been manufactured and flown into Nigeria for installation.
- Umahi ordered additional works, including repainting, solar-powered streetlights and CCTV surveillance.
- An assessment of the bridge’s structural elements above and below water level has also been ordered.
- The First Niger Bridge links Anambra and Delta states and is a major transport route in southeastern Nigeria.
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 to traffic for emergency rehabilitation after discovering vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure was initially scheduled to end on September 21 but has been extended by one week because of persistent rainfall.
Umahi commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded, saying the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured. He also disclosed that the specialised expansion joint that was stolen had been manufactured and flown into Nigeria for installation.
The minister said the quality of work completed within about 10 days was commendable but stressed that the bridge would not be reopened until the major structural work had been completed.
“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 incorporate additional works into the rehabilitation programme.
The additional works include repainting the bridge’s structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas, as well as removing illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge.
Umahi further ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras on the bridge. He directed that the surveillance system be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
He also directed an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements above and below the water level to determine their condition. The report is expected to be submitted to the minister before the completion of the current phase of rehabilitation.
Umahi Orders Review of Bridge Approaches
On the approaches to the First Niger Bridge, Umahi directed a review of the proposed use of asphalt, recommending concrete for sections that would later undergo reconstruction.
He said the measure would prevent the government from spending money on asphalt that could subsequently be destroyed when the approaches are reconstructed.
According to the minister, one carriageway could be opened after the concrete attains the required strength, while work continues on the other section.
Delta Government Commends Rehabilitation
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 and quality 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.
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He said the directives had been implemented, while sections of the deteriorated asphalt surface had also been scarified 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 significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence that the completed work would provide a durable solution.
