The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports that demarcations recently installed on the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha are being removed following public criticism, explaining that only specific openings were deliberately created to facilitate emergency U-turns and the movement of traffic and emergency agencies.
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The Federal Controller of Works at the Anambra State Field Headquarters, Engr. Timothy Emenike, gave the clarification on Wednesday while addressing journalists over reports circulating on social media about the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge.
Emenike said the openings visible along the newly installed demarcations were part of the project design and were created to enable vehicles to make U-turns during emergencies, as well as provide operational access for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Fire Service and other emergency and traffic-management agencies.
He maintained that the ministry had neither removed nor destroyed the demarcations, describing reports suggesting otherwise as false and capable of misleading the public.
“The alleged removal of the brick demarcation that was installed after the bridge rehabilitation is one of the lies some disgruntled elements are telling and posting with fake pictures on social media to discredit the ministry and deceive the public,” Emenike said.
“I am sure you have seen with your eyes that there was no removal of the demarcations. You have also seen the openings created for vehicles to make U-turns on the bridge. Did you see any removal or destruction of the demarcations, except where we created the U-turns?
“What we simply did was create U-turns for vehicles for emergency purposes and to allow the FRSC, Fire Service and other emergency and traffic agencies to operate in case of emergency response. You can see for yourselves that there is nothing like removal of the demarcations as being rumoured.”
The Federal Controller also disclosed that the major rehabilitation works on the bridge had been completed, particularly the tarring of the road surface.
He said painting of the bridge railings, which commenced last week, was still ongoing and would be completed shortly.
According to him, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the First Niger Bridge could be reopened to vehicular traffic before the end of the week.
The bridge has remained under rehabilitation, forcing motorists travelling into and out of Anambra State to rely largely on the Second Niger Bridge and other alternative routes.
During a visit to the bridge on Wednesday, painting work was observed to be ongoing on the railings, while workers were also fixing bolts in spaces created between the demarcations for the installation of electric poles.
Some pedestrians who spoke during the inspection expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation work and said they were looking forward to the reopening of the bridge.
They said restoring vehicular movement on the First Niger Bridge would ease the hardship experienced by residents, commuters and other road users who depend on the crossing daily.
The clarification by the Works Ministry comes amid public debate over the newly installed demarcations on the bridge, with images and claims circulating online suggesting that portions were being removed after criticism.
Emenike, however, insisted that what had been interpreted as removal was simply the creation of designated openings for emergency operations, stressing that the rehabilitation project remained intact and was nearing completion.
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