The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, to Asaba, Delta State, following 38 days of closure for emergency repairs to damaged structural components.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the reopening on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Onitsha end of the bridge, attended by government representatives and traditional rulers from both states.
The bridge was shut to traffic on September 7 after an inspection uncovered vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints, requiring urgent rehabilitation.
Although the closure was initially scheduled to end on September 21, persistent rainfall and other delays extended the repair period, keeping the critical transport route inaccessible for more than a month.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Umahi urged residents of the South-East and South-South regions to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the areas.
The minister declared his continued support for the President, expressing satisfaction with his administration’s leadership and infrastructure interventions.
“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” Umahi said.
He described Tinubu as qualified to lead the country and linked the reopening of the bridge to what he said were the administration’s contributions to the South-East and South-South regions.
“I am very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country,” the minister added.
Umahi said the reopening was intended to restore the movement of people and goods between the two regions, while expressing gratitude for the completion of the emergency rehabilitation work.
He also commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states, alongside the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the project.
“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.
The minister, however, acknowledged that some aspects of the work remained outstanding, noting that the intervention was aimed at improving traffic flow and ensuring the safety of motorists using the bridge.
The First Niger Bridge, completed in 1965, is a major transport link connecting the South-East and South-South regions. It facilitates the movement of passengers, agricultural produce and other goods between Anambra and Delta states and neighbouring areas.
Its prolonged closure had disrupted traffic movement along the route, making the reopening significant for motorists and businesses that depend on the crossing.
