Nigerian govt reopens First Niger Bridge after 38 days of closure

The Nigerian government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State.

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, reopened the bridge on Thursday, 38 days after closing it for emergency maintenance and rehabilitation.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the bridge was closed for rehabilitation and initially scheduled to last from 7 to 21 September but was later extended indefinitely following persistent rainfall.

Reopening of the bridge

A video clip sighted by PREMIUM TIMES showed that Mr Umahi was flanked by some federal officials as well as representatives from Anambra and Delta states during the reopening.

Some traditional rulers from the two states also attended.

During the reopening ceremony, the minister praised President Bola Tinubu for his infrastructure projects in the South-east and South-South.

He asked residents of the two regions to support the president’s re-election bid in 2027 as a reward for his projects in the regions.

“By the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of South-South and South-east in this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, and with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus name,” he declared, cutting a ribbon to signal the official reopening of the bridge.

Mr Umahi lauded the contractors for their diligence and quality of work on the bridge.

“They have worked very well,” he said.

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The Works Minister stressed that the rehabilitation was aimed at improving traffic flow and ensuring the safety of road users.

First Niger Bridge

The First Niger Bridge, linking Onitsha and Asaba, was completed in 1965 and built by the French Construction company, Dumez.

In 2018, the Goodluck Jonathan administration began construction of a Second Niger Bridge to reduce strain on the first bridge.

But President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration completed the bridge and commissioned it in May 2023.