First Niger Bridge Reopens 24 Days Later Than Promised, Still Unfinished

The federal authorities has reopened the First Niger Bridge for visitors, connecting Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State.

The reopening on Thursday comes about 38 days after its closure on September 7 for emergency repairs and upkeep.

Earlier scheduled to reopen on September 21, the federal authorities introduced an extension as a consequence of climate constraints, slowing the upkeep work.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who declared the bridge reopened, famous President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the south-east and stated the nation ought to reward him by reelecting him for a second time period in 2027.

Umahi stated the required infrastructure has been mounted to make sure the free circulation of visitors, including that the rehabilitation works had been aimed toward easing visitors and making certain the security of street customers.

He stated, “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. The evidence of what we are doing today is a total testimony that President Bola Tinubu is indeed detribalised Nigeria.

“What other regions are getting, the people of 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 will have the capacity, the audacity, the courage, the wisdom, the pedigree to do this?

”For what number of years, we had Enugu-Onitsha Road, no person may move 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 South-South and South-East in this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, and with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus name.”