FG reopens First Niger Bridge after 38-day closure

The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge, connecting Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, after a 38-day closure for emergency rehabilitation works. The bridge, built in 1965, serves as a crucial transport link between the South-East and South-South regions. It was initially shut on September 7 to allow repairs to be carried out following the discovery of damaged structural components, including expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure was initially set to last until September 21 but was extended due to persistent rainfall and other delays. At the reopening ceremony, Minister of Works Dave Umahi expressed his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, praising the President's qualifications and emphasizing the importance of the bridge project for the South-East and South-South regions.

Umahi commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states, as well as the contractor SKCC, for their contributions to the project. The repairs were undertaken to enhance traffic flow and ensure the safety of road users, although Umahi acknowledged that the work was not yet fully completed.