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The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, has announced the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha to allow repair and maintenance activities to commence.

The decision follows a recent inspection visit by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who examined a section of the bridge that had been vandalised after scavengers reportedly removed bolts and iron rods.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Anambra field office and signed by the State Controller, Mr Timothy Emenike, the ministry said the bridge would be shut for two weeks beginning Monday, September 7, 2026.

According to the ministry, the repair exercise will involve milling and removing the existing deteriorated asphalt surface before applying an approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course.

The project will also include other essential maintenance and safety interventions on the bridge.

As part of the planned improvements, solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television, CCTV, cameras will be installed to help monitor and deter vandalism activities on the bridge.

The release read: “The attention of the general public, motorists and other road users is hereby drawn to the deteriorated condition of the First Niger Bridge, Onitsha, particularly the carriageway surface and certain bridge components affected by vandalism, including portions of the expansion joint steelworks and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts.

“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, expressed 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.

“Accordingly, Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been directed to immediately commence emergency maintenance works on the First Niger Bridge.

“The First Niger Bridge will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, 7” September 2026, and the emergency maintenance works are expected to be completed by Monday, 21st September 2026. In view of the nature and urgency of the intervention, motorists and other road users are hereby advised and directed to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State and other destinations beyond, throughout the closure period.

“Appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers, traffic-control personnel and other necessary safety measures will be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users, construction personnel and other members of the public.

“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.”

The ministry also said appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures would be introduced to protect road users, improve traffic flow and reduce the congestion currently experienced around the First Niger Bridge axis.

It added that construction activities would be carried out both during the day and at night to accelerate completion of the repair works.

The ministry apologised to businesses and motorists for the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause, assuring the public that the intervention would help restore the structural integrity of the bridge and improve safety for all road users.

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