FG reopens First Niger Bridge after 38-day closure

Minister of Works Dave Umahi during the reopening of the First Niger Bridge on Thursday. Photo: Ikenna Obianeri

The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, to Asaba, Delta State, after about 38 days of closure for emergency rehabilitation works.

The bridge, upon completion, was adorned with photographs of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, reopened the bridge on Thursday alongside federal and state representatives, including traditional rulers from both states.

The bridge was closed to traffic on September 7 to allow repairs after vandalised structural components, including expansion-joint steelwork, were discovered.

The closure was initially scheduled to end on September 21 but was extended indefinitely following persistent rainfall and other delays.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi urged residents of the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the regions.

Umahi said, “We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President.

“I am very proud to have him as my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country.

“And so, by the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of South-South and South-East in this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, and with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus name.”

Umahi also commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states and the contractor, SKCC, for their roles in the project.

“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.

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The minister said the repairs were intended to improve traffic flow and ensure the safety of road users, although he acknowledged that the work was not yet completely finished.

The First Niger Bridge, completed in 1965, is a major transport link between the South-East and South-South regions.

Our correspondent observed that photographs of Tinubu and Shettima with All Progressives Congress banners were on the railings of the bridge on Thursday.

Some of the railings had been repainted, although painters were still seen putting finishing touches to other parts of the bridge.

The newly installed demarcations were also painted, while CCTV cameras were seen installed at different sections of the bridge as well as other key infrastructural components.

Umahi had, during an on-the-spot inspection of the bridge when the rehabilitation work started, said pictures of Tinubu would be pasted on it to appreciate the President for the good work he was doing in the South-East.

He said, “Once we are done with work on this bridge, I want all the illegal adverts on this bridge removed. For now, the bridge will be decorated with the pictures of President Tinubu.

“The President has worked so hard, and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures.”

Traditional rulers from Anambra and Delta states who were at the event hailed the Federal Government, saying the major rehabilitation works were the first since the opening of the bridge in 1965.

Some motorists who spoke to our correspondent heaved a sigh of relief, saying that the reopening of the bridge would ease commuting stress and the high transportation fares occasioned by the diversion of routes.