Old Niger Bridge to reopen first rehabilitated section next week, says Umahi

AWKA — The first rehabilitated section of the Old Niger Bridge between Anambra and Delta states is expected to reopen to traffic next week, Minister of Works David Umahi has said.

Umahi made this known during an inspection of the rehabilitation project on the bridge, which was shut to traffic following the vandalisation of some of its components. The closure resulted in traffic being diverted to the Second Niger Bridge.

The rehabilitation contract was awarded on September 7, 2026.

According to the minister, vandals had removed some bolts and expansion joints, but the affected components had now been replaced. Resurfacing with asphalt and concrete was also ongoing.

Umahi said he would return next week to officially reopen the completed first phase, while other rehabilitation works would proceed.

He directed contractors to paint the bridge kerbs with oil paint and repaint the metal components up to a specified height.

The minister also ordered the removal of all illegal advertisements on the bridge, stressing that anyone seeking to advertise on the structure must first obtain approval from the Federal Ministry of Works.

He further directed the immediate removal of roadblocks, task forces and tax collection points situated within 200 metres of the bridge.

According to Umahi, such activities create congestion and increase safety risks.

“There shall no longer be road blocks or task force or tax people 200 meters from the bridge because it is creating a dangerous situation. Bridges are not built for static checkpoints,” he said.

He directed that the instruction be communicated to the governors of Anambra and Delta states and the heads of relevant security agencies.

Umahi also ordered the installation of more solar lights on the bridge and directed officials to link the existing CCTV cameras to the Second Niger Bridge immediately.

The minister disclosed that a committee had been established to assess the structural condition of the bridge both above and below the water level.

“I have also set up a committee to do empirical evaluation of what is happening below and above the water level under the bridge,” he said, adding that the committee would submit its report before the end of the work on Thursday.

Umahi called for collective efforts to protect public infrastructure, noting that vandalism was costing the country significant resources.

Minister urges South-East, South-South to support Tinubu

Umahi also called on the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu, citing infrastructure projects being undertaken in the two regions.

He commended the President for what he described as prompt intervention in infrastructure development and specifically urged voters in the regions to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The minister also challenged other presidential aspirants to account for their contributions to infrastructure development in the South-East.

“The South East and South South must support the President because of the massive infrastructure development that is ongoing in the two zones,” he said.

Umahi referred to Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, as his brother, while urging voters to back Tinubu.

“We are not calling out anybody because we want to insult him. Peter Obi is our brother, but we should be strategic and wise and support President Bola Tinubu,” Umahi said.

He said that despite insufficient support for Tinubu from voters in the South-East during the 2023 election, the administration had undertaken infrastructure projects in the region.

Umahi also urged presidential aides from the South-East and South-South to beautify the Niger Bridge and decorate it with images of Tinubu in appreciation of the President’s intervention in infrastructure development.

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