First Niger Bridge Demarcation Not Demolished, FG Dismisses Rumour

The Federal Government has dismissed reports that the newly installed demarcation on the First Niger Bridge has been demolished, describing the reports as false.

The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, clarified that the Ministry of Works only created openings at selected points along the demarcation.

According to Emenike, the openings were created to allow vehicles to make U-turns during emergencies and provide access for the Federal Road Safety Corps, fire service and other emergency agencies.

He made the clarification on Wednesday after journalists visited the bridge to verify reports circulating on social media that the demarcation had been removed.

Emenike urged members of the public to disregard the reports, stressing that the central demarcation installed as part of the ongoing rehabilitation had not been destroyed.

The demarcation had generated controversy since it was introduced during the rehabilitation of the bridge, with motorists and road users expressing concerns about reduced carriageway space, traffic movement and emergency access.

The First Niger Bridge, which links Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, was closed to traffic in September after the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure was initially scheduled to last from September 7 to 21 but was extended because of persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.

Emenike said major construction activities, including road surfacing, asphalt work and the installation of expansion bolts, had been completed.

He added that painting of the bridge railings had commenced, while bolts for the lighting poles were also being fixed.

The Federal Controller said the bridge could likely reopen before the end of the week, provided there were no further unforeseen circumstances.

The latest clarification comes amid continued public interest in the rehabilitation of the strategic bridge, which serves as a major link between the South-East and parts of the South-South.

Some road users have also called for heavy-duty vehicles to be restricted from using the First Niger Bridge and diverted to the Second Niger Bridge to reduce congestion and protect the older structure.