By Faith Eze
FG Announces 14-Day Closure of First Niger Bridge for Maintenance
The Federal Government has announced the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, to allow urgent maintenance and rehabilitation work to be carried out. According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the bridge will be completely closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, 2026, until Monday, September 21, 2026. The announcement was made on Friday by the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike.
The First Niger Bridge is an important transport link between Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State. It is also an important route for people travelling between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria. Because of the large number of vehicles that normally use the bridge, the two-week closure is expected to affect motorists, transport operators, traders and other road users who regularly travel through the area.
The Federal Ministry of Works said the closure became necessary because parts of the bridge have deteriorated and some important components have been affected by vandalism. Areas mentioned include the carriageway surface, portions of the expansion-joint steelwork, and nuts and bolts connected to the bridge's stanchion and steel truss. The condition of these components has raised safety concerns and made urgent intervention necessary.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, reportedly expressed serious concern about the condition of the bridge during his recent visit to Anambra State. Following the inspection, he directed that emergency maintenance and rehabilitation work should begin immediately. The contractor, SKECC, which is handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been directed to carry out the emergency intervention on the bridge.
The planned repairs will include removing the deteriorated asphalt surface and laying a new asphalt wearing course of approximately 40mm. Other maintenance and safety works will also be carried out. The government also plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras on the bridge. The CCTV system is expected to improve monitoring and help discourage further vandalism of important bridge components.
During the closure, motorists have been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge as an alternative route. The recommended route is through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and onward to other destinations. The Federal Ministry of Works said traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel will be deployed to help motorists navigate the area safely during the construction period.
Motorists have also been advised to plan their journeys carefully and allow extra time because of the expected changes in traffic movement. Drivers are expected to obey temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, reduce their speed around construction areas, avoid reckless overtaking and follow instructions from traffic-control personnel and security agencies. The ministry said the maintenance work will be carried out during the day and at night in an effort to complete the project quickly and reduce the period of disruption.
Although the closure may cause inconvenience for residents, businesses, travellers and transport operators, the Federal Government says the intervention is necessary to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition. The ministry has appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements during the two-week period. For motorists travelling through Onitsha and Asaba from September 7, proper planning and the use of the Second Niger Bridge will be important. If the repairs are completed as scheduled, the First Niger Bridge is expected to reopen on September 21, 2026.