Nigerian government closes major bridge for repairs

The federal government has shut down the First Niger Bridge that connects Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State for two weeks.

The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, shared this news on Friday. The closure will start from Monday, 7 September.

Timothy Emenike, the Anambra State Controller of the ministry, said that this decision came after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, inspected a damaged part of the bridge.

Recently, a social activist raised concerns about scavengers taking bolts and rods from the bridge.

Mr Emenike explained that the closure was necessary for the government to carry out emergency maintenance and repair work on the bridge.

He noted that the bridge had serious issues, especially with the carriageway surface and some parts that had been vandalised. This included damaged parts of the expansion joint steelworks and missing stanchion and steel truss nuts and bolts.

“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi expressed serious 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,” he said.

Mr Emenike mentioned that the company SKECC, which is responsible for the Km 0+000, Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been instructed to start emergency maintenance work on the damaged section of the bridge right away.

“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, 21 September 2026,” he said.

He advised drivers to consider using the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other places while the bridge is closed.

Mr Emenike said that there will be traffic diversion plans, road signs, safety barriers, and traffic-control personnel to help drivers and keep everyone safe.

“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,” he stated.

He added that the repairs would involve removing the damaged asphalt layer and laying about 40mm of new asphalt, along with other maintenance and safety tasks.

Mr Emenike emphasized that solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras would be added to the bridge to boost security and monitor vandal activities.

He assured that proper traffic-control and diversion measures would be in place to ensure safety, improve traffic flow, and lessen congestion around the First Niger Bridge area.

The official stated that the work would take place day and night to speed up completion.

He apologized for any inconvenience the closure may cause to businesses and road users, assuring everyone that this intervention aims to make the bridge stronger and safer for drivers.