Rehabilitation Completed: First Niger Bridge Linking Anambra and Delta Set To Reopen Next Week
The First Niger Bridge connecting Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State will be opened to motorists next week.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during an inspection tour of the bridge at Onitsha head bridge on Wednesday.
The bridge, which serves as a major link between the South East and South South, was shut down on September 7, 2026, for urgent rehabilitation after critical components were vandalised.
The Federal Ministry of Works had initially fixed September 21 as reopening date but later shifted it by seven days because continuous rainfall affected the pace of work.
What FG has done on the bridge
According to information from the inspection, the construction firm, SKECC Nigeria Limited, has almost finished the repair works.
The company has replaced the bolts and nuts stolen by vandals and secured them properly. The special expansion joint that was removed by vandals has been produced abroad and shipped into Nigeria for fixing.
Minister Umahi, who spoke during the visit, insisted that the Federal Government will not rush the reopening.
He said the bridge will only be opened when all structural safety checks are completed.
Other directives given by the minister include repainting of all steel structures and inner sections, removal of illegal billboards and posters from the bridge, installation of more solar street lights and completion of CCTV camera coverage to be connected to the surveillance system on the Second Niger Bridge.
He also demanded a full structural test of both the surface and underwater parts of the bridge before final handover.
Reason for closure and traffic advice
The bridge was closed because vandals tampered with its expansion joints and removed bolts holding key parts together, making it unsafe for heavy traffic.
During the closure, the Federal Government diverted vehicles to the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi road to Asaba and other routes.
The current repair covers scraping of the bad asphalt, laying of new 40mm wearing course, fixing of safety fittings and traffic management works.
Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who was at the site, praised the ministry for the quick response, saying the instructions given by Umahi during his August 28 visit have been carried out.
Link to Second Niger Bridge project
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says work is ongoing on the 17.55 kilometre access road to the Second Niger Bridge in Asaba.
The access road project, which started in March 2025 under Phase 2A of the Second Niger Bridge, is designed to ease movement between the South East and South South and boost trade.
Motorists have been advised to obey traffic officers, follow diversion signs and drive with caution around the construction corridor until the First Niger Bridge is fully reopened.
