{
  "id": 12850675,
  "title": "First Niger Bridge set to reopen soon – Federal controller",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/first-niger-bridge-set-to-reopen-soon-federal-controller-12850675",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T11:08:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/first-niger-bridge-set-to-reopen-soon-federal-controller/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Ministry of Works has announced that the First Niger Bridge, which connects Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, may reopen before the end of the week. The bridge, which was closed from September 7 to 21 for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works, is expected to reopen once all major construction works have been completed. Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, stated that the tarring of the bridge, which was a major construction activity, has been finished. However, the painting of railings is still ongoing. Emenike assured that barring \"unforeseen circumstances\", the bridge would likely be reopened before the end of the week. The reopening is expected to provide relief to motorists and residents who faced disruptions during the rehabilitation period. The bridge was built in 1965 and was closed due to vandalised structural components, including its expansion-joint steelwork.",
  "summary": "The Federal Controller of Works says the First Niger Bridge may reopen this week as major rehabilitation works have been completed on the vital transport l Read More: https://punchng.com/first-niger-bridge-set-to-reopen-soon-federal-controller/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "First Niger Bridge set to reopen soon – Federal controller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/first-niger-bridge-set-to-reopen-soon-federal-controller",
        "published": "2026-10-08T11:08:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}