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DEVELOPING / EXCLUSIVE
ONITSHA / ABUJA — The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has ordered the complete closure of the historic First Niger Bridge in Onitsha for two weeks to execute urgent emergency repairs following severe structural degradation and widespread vandalism.
According to an official notice issued by the Anambra State Field Headquarters and signed by the Acting Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, the strategic gateway connecting Delta and Anambra states will be fully shut down from Monday, September 7, 2026, through Monday, September 21, 2026.
The emergency shutdown follows an on-site inspection by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, who raised serious alarms over the safety of the structure. The inspection revealed extensive damage caused by scrap metal thieves, who systematically looted expansion joint steelworks, stanchion fittings, truss nuts, and critical support bolts.
To execute the rehabilitation, the ministry has mandated construction firm Messrs SKECC to work day and night across the two-week window. The contract scope includes complete milling of the degraded carriageway, laying a fresh 40mm asphalt wearing course, structural welding, and resetting missing steel hardware. Additionally, federal authorities will install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV surveillance systems across the bridge deck to deter future criminal vandalism.
During the closure, all commercial and private traffic between the South-East and South-South corridors will be diverted to the Second Niger Bridge via the Obosi-Asaba bypass axis. Federal officials confirmed that safety barriers, advance warning signs, and joint security and traffic control teams will be stationed along the diversion routes to prevent gridlock.
