The Federal Ministry of Works has assured motorists that the First Niger Bridge may be reopened before the end of this week barring unforeseen circumstances, as all major construction works have been completed.
The Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, stated this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday while clarifying the openings created along the newly installed demarcation on the bridge.
The bridge, linking Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, was built in 1965 and closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including its expansion joint steelwork.
The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.
When the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, visited the bridge for an on the spot inspection on September 23, he said the bridge would not reopen to traffic until major structural rehabilitation works were completed.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
Emenike said the contractor has replaced and secured the vandalised components and assured that the bridge would be reopened once safety is fully guaranteed.
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