The Federal Government has announced the closure of the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State for two weeks.
The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, made the announcement on Friday, saying the closure would take effect from Monday, September 7, 2026.
The development followed a recent inspection of a vandalised section of the bridge by the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, where bolts and iron rods had reportedly been removed by scavengers.
In a statement, the State Controller, Mr. Timothy Emenike, said the closure was necessary to enable the government to carry out emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works on the bridge.
Emenike said the attention of motorists and other road users had been drawn to the deteriorated condition of the bridge, particularly the carriageway surface and some bridge components affected by vandalisation.
According to Emenike, the affected components include portions of the expansion joint steelworks as well as stanchion and steel truss nuts and bolts.
“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, expressed serious concern over the condition of the bridge and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works to restore the facility to a safe and properly motorable condition,” Emenike said.
He said Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000–Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, had been directed to commence the emergency maintenance works immediately.
“The First Niger Bridge will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, 2026, and the emergency maintenance works are expected to be completed by Monday, September 21, 2026,” he said.
Emenike advised motorists to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations beyond throughout the closure period.
He said appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users and construction workers.
“Motorists are strongly advised to obey all temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, approach the construction and diversion zones with caution, reduce speed and avoid reckless overtaking,” he added.
The ministry said the rehabilitation would include the milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing and the laying of approximately 40mm of asphalt wearing course, alongside other maintenance and safety works.
It said solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would also be installed on the bridge to enhance security and monitor the activities of vandals.
The ministry added that appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures would be deployed to ensure safety, improve traffic flow and reduce congestion around the First Niger Bridge axis.
According to the ministry, the work will be carried out during the day and at night to ensure its speedy completion.
It apologised for the inconvenience the closure may cause businesses and road users, assuring the public that the intervention was aimed at strengthening the integrity of the bridge and ensuring the safety of motorists.
