The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge, restoring traffic between Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, after about 38 days of closure for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, performed the reopening ceremony on Thursday, alongside federal and state representatives, including traditional rulers from Anambra and Delta states.
The bridge, constructed in 1965, was initially closed from September 7 to 21 to enable repairs following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including steelwork around its expansion joints.
However, the closure was extended indefinitely beyond the initial September 21 deadline due to persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances that delayed the rehabilitation work.
Speaking during the reopening ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi said the repairs were intended to improve road safety, ease congestion and restore the smooth movement of traffic.
He commended the governments of Anambra and Delta states, as well as the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the project, noting that some work remained outstanding.
“We have every reason to thank the governors of Anambra and Delta states.
“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well. We are not 100 per cent done because we are going to do [more work]. The evidence of what we are doing today is a total testimony that President Bola Tinubu is indeed a detribalised Nigerian.
“What other regions are getting, the people of the South-South and South-East are getting it. And so, why should we not appreciate the President? If the President, God forbid, were not the President in 2027, do you think that any of these people marauding would have the capacity, the audacity, the courage, the wisdom, the pedigree to do this?
“For how many years, we had Enugu-Onitsha Road, nobody could pass it. Why was there no governor that intervened?
“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President.
“I am very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country.
“And so, by the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of the South-South and South-East on this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus’ name,” Umahi said.
The minister also urged residents of the South-East to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, citing the administration’s infrastructure projects in the region.
