The minister of works, David Umahi, says the First Niger Bridge will not reopen to traffic until major structural rehabilitation works are completed.

Mr Umahi stated this on Wednesday at the Onitsha Bridge head after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works on the bridge linking Anambra and Delta.

He said the federal government would not be stampeded into reopening the bridge until critical structural components identified for rehabilitation had been properly repaired.

“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Mr Umahi said.

The bridge was closed to traffic for emergency rehabilitation following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of its expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, has been extended by one week due to persistent rainfall affecting the rehabilitation work.

Mr Umahi commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded, saying the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured.

He said the specialised expansion joint stolen from the bridge had also been manufactured and flown into the country for installation.

The minister described the quality of work achieved within about 10 days as commendable but stressed that the bridge would not be reopened at the expense of safety.

Mr Umahi directed the contractor to incorporate additional rehabilitation works, including repainting the bridge’s structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas.

He also ordered the removal of illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge and the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights.

The minister directed the completion of CCTV cameras on the bridge, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.

He further directed an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements below and above water level to determine their condition.

Mr Umahi said the assessment report should be submitted to him before completion of the current phase of rehabilitation.

On the bridge approaches, Mr Umahi directed a review of the proposed use of asphalt, saying concrete should be used on sections that would later undergo reconstruction.

He explained that the measure would prevent the government from spending money on asphalt that would later be destroyed during reconstruction of the approaches.

Mr Umahi said one carriageway could be opened after the concrete attained the required strength while work continued on the other carriageway.

Speaking on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra, Charles Aniagwu, Delta commissioner for works (rural roads) and public information, commended the federal government for the intervention.

Mr 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, adding that sections of the deteriorated asphalt surface had also been scarified 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,” Mr Aniagwu said.

He said the rehabilitation had significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence that the work would stand the test of time. 

(NAN)