The Federal Government has announced the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State for two weeks to enable emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works following deterioration and reported vandalism of key components of the bridge.
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The closure will take effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, and remain in force until Monday, September 21, 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters.
The Anambra State Controller of the ministry, Timothy Emenike, said the decision followed a recent inspection of the bridge by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who expressed serious concern over its condition and directed the immediate commencement of repairs.
The intervention follows reports that scavengers had allegedly removed bolts, rods and other metallic components from parts of the bridge.
Emenike said the bridge had suffered deterioration, particularly on the carriageway surface, while some structural and safety components had also been vandalised.
According to him, the affected components include parts of the expansion joint steelworks, stanchions, steel truss nuts and bolts.
“During his recent working visit to Anambra State, the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, expressed serious 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,” Emenike said.
The ministry subsequently directed Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000–Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, to immediately commence work on the affected parts of the 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, 21 September 2026,” he said.
During the period of closure, motorists travelling between Anambra and Delta states have been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba and other destinations beyond.
The ministry said traffic diversion arrangements, warning signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed around the affected areas to guide motorists and protect construction workers.
Motorists were also urged to reduce speed, obey temporary traffic signs and avoid reckless overtaking around diversion and construction zones.
The rehabilitation works will include the removal of deteriorated asphalt surfacing through milling and the laying of about 40 millimetres of asphalt wearing course, alongside repairs to damaged bridge components and other safety interventions.
As part of measures to prevent further vandalism and strengthen security around the facility, the Federal Government also plans to install solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras, CCTV, on the bridge.
According to Emenike, the CCTV system is expected to improve surveillance and assist authorities in monitoring acts of vandalism around the bridge.
He said the works would be carried out during both the day and night to ensure speedy completion and minimise the duration of disruption to road users.
The ministry apologised to motorists, businesses and residents likely to be affected by the temporary closure, stressing that the intervention was necessary to strengthen the structural integrity of the bridge and ensure the safety of road users.
The First Niger Bridge, which connects Onitsha and Asaba across the River Niger, was completed in 1965 and has remained one of the major transport links between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
The Second Niger Bridge was subsequently constructed to reduce pressure on the older bridge and was commissioned in May 2023.
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