The Federal Government has ruled out reopening the First Niger Bridge to traffic until major structural repairs on the bridge are completed.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge at Onitsha Bridge Head, which connects Anambra and Delta states.
The bridge was closed to traffic after vandalised bolts, nuts and parts of its expansion-joint steelwork were discovered.
The closure, which was initially scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week because of persistent rainfall.
Umahi said the contractor, SKECC, had replaced and secured the vandalised bolts, while the stolen specialised expansion joint had been manufactured and brought into Nigeria for installation.
He, however, said the government would not allow pressure to reopen the bridge before the critical repairs were completed.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
The minister also ordered additional work on the bridge, including repainting its structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas.
He directed the removal of illegal advertisements from the bridge and ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights.
Umahi further directed the completion of CCTV cameras on the bridge, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
He also ordered a detailed assessment of the bridge’s structural components above and below the water level to determine their condition.
According to him, the assessment report must be submitted before the current phase of rehabilitation is completed.
On the approaches to the bridge, Umahi directed the contractor to review the planned asphalt work and use concrete on sections that would later require reconstruction.
He said the measure would prevent public funds from being wasted on asphalt that could be damaged during future reconstruction.
Umahi added that one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attained the required strength, while rehabilitation continued on the other section.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the progress of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu, who spoke on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, said the speed and quality of the work had improved the condition of the bridge.
He recalled that Umahi inspected the bridge on August 28 and directed the replacement of the vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
Aniagwu said the directives had been implemented, while damaged sections of the bridge’s asphalt surface had also been removed and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the rehabilitation would improve the safety and durability of the bridge.
The First Niger Bridge remains closed to traffic pending the completion of the critical structural works and other directives issued by the minister.
