Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, with Asaba, Delta State, following about 38 days of closure for emergency rehabilitation.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the reopening on Thursday at the Onitsha end of the bridge, in the presence of federal and state representatives as well as traditional rulers from both states.
The bridge was shut on September 7 after vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints, were discovered and required repairs.
The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended because of persistent rainfall and other delays.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Umahi called on residents of the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the two regions.
“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” the minister said.
He described Tinubu as qualified to lead the country and said the reopening reflected the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure for residents of the regions.
Umahi also thanked the governors of Anambra and Delta states and the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the rehabilitation work.
“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.
The minister said the repairs were aimed at improving traffic movement and protecting road users, while acknowledging that some work remained unfinished.
Completed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge is a major transport link connecting Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions. Its closure had disrupted movement between Onitsha and Asaba, making the reopening significant for commuters and other road users.
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