The Federal Government has fixed Monday, September 7, 2026, for the commencement of a two-week shutdown of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, to enable emergency repairs on the aging infrastructure.
The closure, which is expected to last until September 21, was announced by the Federal Ministry of Works on Friday, with motorists advised to make use of the Second Niger Bridge throughout the period.
The ministry’s Acting Controller in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, said the decision followed an inspection of the First and Second Niger bridges by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during which defects requiring urgent attention were identified on the First Niger Bridge.
According to the ministry, the affected areas include sections of the deteriorated carriageway, as well as parts of the expansion-joint steelworks and nuts and bolts on the bridge that had been vandalised.
Umahi subsequently directed that emergency rehabilitation be undertaken to restore the bridge to a safe and motorable condition. SKECC, the contractor handling the 20-kilometre section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been assigned to execute the intervention.
The repair will involve milling and removing the damaged asphalt before laying about 40mm of new asphalt wearing course, alongside other maintenance and safety works. The ministry said the project would run day and night to facilitate completion within the two-week window.
During the closure, motorists heading towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations have been directed to access the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi. The ministry said traffic officers, diversion signs, barriers and other control measures would be deployed to ease movement and safeguard road users.
As part of efforts to prevent further damage and vandalism, the government also plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras on the First Niger Bridge. Motorists have been urged to comply with diversion instructions, reduce speed and avoid reckless overtaking around construction zones, while the ministry apologised for the inconvenience the shutdown may cause.
