The Federal Government has ordered the closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, for two weeks to allow contractors carry out emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works on the structure.
The closure will take effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, with the bridge scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 21.
The Federal Ministry of Works, through its Anambra State Field Headquarters, announced the development in a statement signed by the Acting Federal Controller of Works in the state, Timothy Emenike, on Friday.
The ministry said the decision was necessitated by the deteriorating condition of the bridge, particularly the road surface and some structural components that had reportedly been vandalised.
It identified portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel-truss nuts and bolts among the components affected.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, reportedly raised concerns about the state of the bridge during his recent visit to Anambra and directed the immediate commencement of emergency repairs.
Consequently, Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been instructed to commence the rehabilitation works.
The ministry said the intervention would include milling and removing the existing deteriorated asphalt before laying an approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course.
Other works will include associated repairs and safety interventions, installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras, as well as the deployment of traffic-control and diversion measures.
According to the ministry, the repairs are designed to restore a safe and durable riding surface, improve traffic flow and reduce the difficulties experienced by motorists along the First Niger Bridge corridor.
With the bridge fully closed during the exercise, motorists travelling between Anambra and Delta states have been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi to Asaba.
The ministry said appropriate road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed along the diversion routes to guide motorists and protect road users and construction workers.
It urged motorists to obey all temporary traffic signs, follow the instructions of traffic-control personnel and security agencies, reduce speed around construction areas and avoid reckless overtaking.
Road users were also advised to factor additional travel time into their journeys because of the temporary diversion.
The ministry said work would be carried out round the clock to facilitate rapid completion and minimise the period of traffic disruption.
It appealed for the patience and cooperation of motorists, residents, businesses and other stakeholders who may be affected by the closure.
“The temporary inconvenience is highly regretted. However, the intervention has become necessary in the overriding public interest, particularly to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition and to improve the free flow of traffic along this critical national transportation corridor,” the ministry said.
It further urged motorists to use the Second Niger Bridge via the Obosi-Asaba route where possible and cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements throughout the rehabilitation period.
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