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The Nigerian Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, to Asaba, Delta State, after about 38 days of emergency repairs.
According to Punch, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, reopened the bridge on Thursday alongside national and state officials and traditional rulers from both states.
The bridge was closed on September 7 after officials discovered vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints. The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended due to persistent rainfall and other delays.
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Speaking at the reopening ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi urged residents of the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. He cited the Nigerian Government’s infrastructure projects in the regions.
“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” Umahi said.
He described Tinubu as “the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country.” Umahi added that reopening the bridge expressed gratitude for the President’s work in the two regions.
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The minister also commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states and the contractor, SKCC, for their roles in the rehabilitation.
“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.
Umahi said the repairs were designed to improve traffic flow and protect road users. However, he acknowledged that some work remained unfinished. It was completed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge is a major transport link between Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.
