The Federal Government has extended the closure of the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State by another week after persistent rainfall disrupted ongoing emergency rehabilitation works and affected some portions already repaired.
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The bridge, which was completely closed to vehicular traffic on September 7, 2026, was originally scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 21, after two weeks of intensive maintenance.
However, the Federal Ministry of Works said the planned reopening could no longer proceed because almost a week of heavy rainfall had slowed work and affected sections of the rehabilitation already carried out.
Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, said the contractor would require at least three consecutive dry days to return fully to the affected sections and complete the outstanding work.
According to him, the completion period has consequently been extended by one week, although the new timeline remains dependent on favourable weather conditions.
The extension means motorists travelling between Onitsha and Asaba will continue to rely largely on the Second Niger Bridge and other diversion routes while the rehabilitation continues.
The Federal Government had advised motorists affected by the closure to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi and the Onitsha-Owerri Road towards Asaba and other destinations.
The closure has already resulted in longer travel times, traffic congestion and increased transportation costs for some commuters who ordinarily rely on the First Niger Bridge as the major direct connection between Anambra and Delta states.
Emenike said substantial work had already been completed on various portions of the bridge before the weather setback.
He explained that the persistent rainfall had affected some of those areas and made it difficult to proceed with critical finishing work, particularly the asphalt component.
A site engineer involved in the project said the vandalised bolts and nuts had already been replaced and that work had reached the asphalt stage.
According to the engineer, rainfall did not only prevent asphalt laying on some days but also delayed the arrival of materials, because each day of heavy rain could result in several additional days of downtime before the surface was sufficiently dry for work to continue.
The Ministry of Works said the contractor was awaiting improved weather conditions and asphalt supplies needed for the remaining portions of the project.
The emergency rehabilitation was ordered after concerns were raised about the deteriorating condition of the bridge and vandalism of some of its structural and safety components.
The maintenance involves removal of deteriorated asphalt surfacing and the laying of an approximately 40-millimetre asphalt wearing course.
Other works include replacement of vandalised railings, bolts and nuts, repairs to portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion or steel-truss components, as well as other measures intended to restore the bridge to a safer and properly motorable condition.
The project also provides for installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras to improve security and facilitate surveillance against further vandalism.
The decision to undertake the emergency intervention followed an inspection by Minister of Works David Umahi after reports that vandals and scavengers had removed bolts, iron rods and other components from sections of the bridge.
The ministry subsequently directed the contractor handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway to commence emergency maintenance on the bridge.
Emenike said challenges that had earlier affected night operations had also been addressed.
He said inadequate lighting had initially made night work difficult and raised concerns about both the security of workers and the safety of construction materials, but measures had now been taken to resolve those problems.
The Federal Controller added that security concerns around the project area had similarly been addressed, allowing work to continue whenever weather conditions permit.
A visit to the bridge on Monday showed that the facility remained barricaded amid heavy rainfall, with construction equipment, including caterpillars, still positioned on the bridge.
Some workers were also observed carrying out limited activities, although the rainfall continued to affect portions of the ongoing work.
The situation has shifted attention away from the original September 21 reopening date to whether the contractor can secure the three consecutive dry days officials say are needed to complete the remaining repairs.
The one-week extension points to a tentative completion around September 28, but officials have stressed that this is subject to weather conditions rather than an unconditional reopening date.
Even after the contractor completes the maintenance, the bridge is expected to undergo another inspection by Works Minister Umahi.
Emenike said the minister would assess the completed work before final approval is given for traffic to return to the bridge.
The First Niger Bridge, completed in 1965, remains an important transport artery connecting the South-East with Delta State and other parts of the South-South and western Nigeria.
Although the Second Niger Bridge has provided an alternative crossing since its completion, the prolonged closure of the older bridge continues to affect commuters, commercial drivers and businesses that depend on the Onitsha-Asaba corridor.
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