The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, has announced the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, for two weeks to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works.
The bridge will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, 2026, and is expected to reopen on Monday, September 21, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, advised motorists and other road users to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations beyond during the closure period.
He said appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users, construction workers and members of the public.
According to the statement, the closure became necessary following the deteriorated condition of the First Niger Bridge, particularly the carriageway surface and some bridge components affected by vandalisation.
The affected components include portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts.
The statement said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed concern over the condition of the bridge during a recent working visit to Anambra State and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works.
Consequently, Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the 20-kilometre section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been directed to commence the emergency works on the bridge.
The intervention will include milling and removing the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing and laying approximately 40mm of asphalt wearing course, alongside other necessary maintenance and safety works.
The ministry also plans to install solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras, as well as deploy appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures.
It said the objective was to restore a safe, smooth and durable riding surface, improve motorability and reduce traffic difficulties around the First Niger Bridge axis.
The ministry urged motorists to obey temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, approach construction zones with caution, reduce speed, avoid reckless overtaking and comply with the directions of traffic-control personnel and security agencies.
Road users were also advised to allow additional travel time, plan their journeys accordingly and, where practicable, use the Second Niger Bridge via the Obosi-Asaba route as the preferred alternative.
The ministry said the emergency maintenance works would be carried out day and night to facilitate rapid completion and minimise the duration of traffic disruption.
It appealed to road users, residents, businesses and other stakeholders affected by the temporary diversion to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements.
The ministry regretted the temporary inconvenience, stressing that the intervention was necessary in the public interest to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition and improve traffic flow along the critical national transportation corridor.
