The Federal Government has moved to restrict police and other security roadblocks around the Onitsha and Asaba approaches to the First Niger Bridge to prevent traffic congestion and excessive static loading on the ageing structure.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing emergency rehabilitation of the bridge, which links Anambra and Delta states.
Umahi said the Ministry of Works would seek the support of the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that roadblocks were not mounted within a designated distance of the bridge approaches.
According to him, prolonged traffic congestion caused by checkpoints could place additional static loads on the bridge and undermine ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
The minister also recalled that the Federal Executive Council had prohibited sand dredging within 10 kilometres of bridges nationwide. He directed the ministry’s Director of Bridges to liaise with security agencies to ensure compliance, particularly around the First and Second Niger Bridges.
Umahi said the First Niger Bridge would remain closed to traffic until critical structural rehabilitation works had been completed, despite the progress recorded by the contractor, SKECC.
He disclosed that vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, while the specialised expansion joint stolen from the bridge had been manufactured and brought into the country for installation.
The minister commended the pace of work but stressed that the government would not reopen the bridge prematurely at the expense of public safety.
He further directed the contractor to carry out additional works, including repainting structural components, bridge caps and internal carriageway areas, as well as removing illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge.
Umahi also ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and completion of the CCTV surveillance system on the bridge, with the cameras to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
He directed that an empirical assessment of structural components above and below the water level be conducted to determine the current condition of the bridge, with the report to be submitted before completion of the present phase of rehabilitation.
On the bridge approaches, the minister ordered a review of the planned use of asphalt, directing that concrete be used on portions that would later undergo reconstruction.
He explained that the measure would prevent the government from spending money on asphalt that might subsequently be removed during further reconstruction. He added that one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attained the required strength, while work continued on the other.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Anambra and Delta states, Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the speed and quality of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and directed the replacement of vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said the directives had been implemented, while sections of the deteriorated asphalt surface had also been removed and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We want to also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.
The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Engr. Timothy Emenike, said rehabilitation commenced on September 7 following the minister’s directive.
According to him, the contractor had been working day and night, resulting in the completion of the wearing course on the bridge, carriageway and walkways.
The Director of Bridges, Engr. Musa Saidu, also commended the contractor for completing additional works beyond the original scope within two weeks.
The Federal Government had shut the First Niger Bridge to traffic after discovering vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, originally scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall and the need to complete the rehabilitation works.
