The Federal Government on Thursday reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, after about 38 days of closure for emergency repairs.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the reopening at a ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, where he urged residents of the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Umahi said the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the two regions should encourage residents to support Tinubu, adding that he had no regrets backing the President.
“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” he said.
The minister added, “I am very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country.”
The bridge was closed to traffic on September 7 after vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints, were discovered during inspections.
The closure was initially expected to last until September 21 but was extended following persistent rainfall and other delays to the emergency rehabilitation work.
Umahi said the repairs were necessary to improve traffic flow and protect road users, although he acknowledged that some work remained unfinished.
He formally declared the bridge open, saying the decision was taken for the benefit of residents and other road users who depend on the vital transport link.
“By the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of South-South and South-East in this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, and with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The minister commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states, as well as the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the rehabilitation project.
“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.
Federal and state representatives, as well as traditional rulers from Anambra and Delta states, attended the reopening ceremony.
Completed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge is a major transport link between the South-East and South-South, carrying commuters, traders and goods between Onitsha and Asaba.
