The Federal Government says the First Niger Bridge will reopen to traffic next week, following the completion of key rehabilitation works on the bridge linking Anambra and Delta States.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing repairs at the Onitsha Bridge Head.
The bridge was closed earlier this month after the discovery that vandals had removed critical structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, which was initially expected to end on September 21, was extended by one week following persistent rainfall.
Umahi said the contractor, SKECC, had made significant progress, noting that the vandalised bolts had been replaced and properly secured.
He also disclosed that the specialised expansion joint removed by vandals had been manufactured and brought into the country for installation.
While acknowledging the progress achieved within about 10 days, the minister stressed that safety would remain the priority before the bridge is reopened.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
He directed the contractor to undertake additional works, including repainting the bridge’s structural components, caps and internal carriageway sections, as well as removing illegal advertisements from the facility.
The minister also ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further directed an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements, both above and below the water level, to establish their condition.
He said the assessment report must be submitted before the current phase of rehabilitation is concluded.
On the bridge approaches, the minister ordered a review of the proposed asphalt works, directing that concrete be used on sections that are expected to undergo reconstruction in the future.
According to him, the approach would prevent public funds from being wasted on asphalt that could subsequently be removed during reconstruction.
He added that one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attains the required strength, while rehabilitation continues on the other side.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the speed and quality of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and directed the replacement of the vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said the directives had been implemented, while damaged portions of the asphalt surface had also been removed and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner added that the rehabilitation had substantially improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence in the durability of the work.
He said the cooperation of motorists and other road users had also helped to facilitate the rehabilitation process.