First Niger Bridge won’t reopen until rehabilitation is completed – Umahi

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that the First Niger Bridge will remain closed until the major structural rehabilitation works are fully completed. While inspecting the ongoing repairs at the bridge on Wednesday, Umahi emphasized that the Federal Government will not be coerced into reopening the bridge before the critical structural components designated for rehabilitation are adequately fixed.

"We are not going to be forced to open the bridge until the major structural work has been accomplished," Umahi affirmed. The First Niger Bridge had been shut down for emergency repairs following the detection of vandalized structural elements, including bolts, nuts, and segments of its expansion-joint steelwork. The suspension of traffic on the bridge, originally planned to last until September 21, has been prolonged by a week due to persistent rainfall impeding the rehabilitation efforts.