Motorists travelling between Anambra and Delta states have been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge from Monday as the Federal Government begins a two-week emergency rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha.
The Federal Ministry of Works said the First Niger Bridge would be completely closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, to Monday, September 21, 2026, to allow urgent repairs to the deteriorated carriageway and other damaged components.
The Acting Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, announced the closure in a statement issued on Friday.
He advised motorists to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations beyond during the closure.
The ministry said the intervention became necessary following the deteriorating condition of the First Niger Bridge, particularly its road surface and some bridge components affected by vandalism.
According to Emenike, portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts had also been damaged.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, reportedly raised concerns about the condition of the bridge during a recent working visit to Anambra State and directed that emergency repairs commence immediately.
The ministry said Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the 20-kilometre section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, had been directed to undertake the emergency works.
The rehabilitation will involve removing the deteriorated asphalt surface and laying about 40mm of new asphalt wearing course.
Other works will include repairs and safety interventions, installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras, as well as traffic-control and diversion measures.
The ministry said the objective was to provide a safer and smoother road surface, improve the movement of vehicles and reduce the traffic problems around the First Niger Bridge axis.
It explained that the bridge would remain closed for approximately two weeks, with construction activities scheduled to take place during the day and at night to speed up completion.
Emenike urged motorists to plan their journeys and allow additional travel time during the period.
He also advised road users to obey temporary traffic signs, follow diversion instructions, reduce their speed around construction areas and avoid reckless overtaking.
Traffic-control personnel and security agencies would be deployed alongside road signs, safety barriers and other measures to guide motorists and protect road users and construction workers.
The ministry particularly recommended the Second Niger Bridge through the Obosi-Asaba route as the preferred alternative for motorists during the closure.
It appealed to residents, businesses and other stakeholders affected by the temporary diversion to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements.
The Federal Ministry of Works said the temporary inconvenience was necessary in the public interest, stressing that the emergency intervention was aimed at restoring the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition.
It also said completing the work quickly would help minimise the disruption to traffic along the important transportation corridor.
