By Sochima Agbo

The Federal Government has announced the full closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, for two weeks to enable emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works on the facility.

The closure will take effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, and the bridge is expected to reopen on Monday, September 21, 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of Works.

The Acting Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying the intervention had become necessary due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge.

The ministry said the bridge’s carriageway surface had deteriorated, while some of its components had also been affected by vandalisation, including portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and some stanchion, steel truss nuts and bolts.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, reportedly expressed concern over the condition of the bridge during a recent working visit to Anambra State and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance works.

SKECC, the contractor handling the 20-kilometre section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been directed to undertake the emergency intervention.

The works will involve removing the deteriorated asphalt surface and laying an approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course, alongside other maintenance and safety measures aimed at restoring the bridge to a safer and more durable condition.

The ministry also plans to install solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras as part of the intervention.

During the closure, motorists travelling from Anambra to Delta State and other destinations have been directed to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba as the preferred alternative route.

The Federal Ministry of Works said traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed to facilitate the movement of vehicles and protect road users and construction workers.

Motorists have been advised to obey temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, reduce their speed around construction areas, avoid reckless overtaking and follow the directions of traffic-control personnel and security agencies.

The ministry also urged travellers to allow additional time for their journeys and plan ahead to minimise the impact of the closure.

According to the statement, construction activities will be carried out during the day and at night to accelerate completion and reduce the period of disruption.

The Federal Government appealed to motorists, residents, businesses and other stakeholders affected by the temporary closure to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements.

It said the intervention was necessary to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition and improve traffic flow along the critical transportation corridor linking communities and states in the region.