FG reopens First Niger Bridge

The Federal Government has formally reopened the First Niger Bridge to site visitors following a 38-day closure, restoring very important transit connectivity between Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State.

Minister of Works Dave Umahi led the reopening ceremony on Thursday, October 15, alongside federal and state officers, alongside conventional rulers from each Anambra and Delta states.

Constructed in 1965, the bridge was initially closed on September 7 for emergency rehabilitation following the invention of extreme structural vandalism, together with broken expansion-joint steelwork. Although initially slated for reopening on September 21, the closure was prolonged as a consequence of heavy rainfall and unexpected engineering challenges.

Performing the inauguration on the Onitsha method, Minister Umahi praised President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to infrastructure growth within the South-East and South-South zones, urging residents to reciprocate by supporting the administration within the upcoming January 16, 2027, presidential election.

While acknowledging that supplementary upkeep work stays, the minister added;

“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?” Umahi acknowledged, formally declaring the bridge open to the general public.