The Federal Government has announced the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, for two weeks to allow for emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works.

The Federal Ministry of Works, through its Anambra State Field Headquarters, said the bridge would be completely closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, to Monday, September 21, 2026.

The closure followed a recent inspection of the bridge by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who expressed concern over its deteriorating condition and sections reportedly damaged by vandalism.

An official statement signed by the State Controller of the ministry, Timothy Emenike, said the bridge had suffered deterioration of its carriageway surface, while some components, including portions of the expansion joint steelworks and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts, had been affected by vandalism.

According to the statement, Umahi, during his recent working visit to Anambra State, directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance works to restore the bridge to a safe and motorable condition.

The ministry subsequently directed SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000 to Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, to commence the emergency intervention.

The ministry advised motorists and other road users to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations beyond the area throughout the closure period.

It said appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel would be deployed to guide motorists and protect road users, construction workers and other members of the public.

Motorists were urged to obey temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, reduce their speed around construction zones and avoid reckless overtaking.

The planned rehabilitation will include the milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surface, followed by the laying of approximately 40mm of asphalt wearing course, alongside other maintenance and safety works.

The ministry also disclosed plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras on the bridge to improve security and monitor the activities of vandals.

Additional traffic-control and diversion measures will be deployed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion around the First Niger Bridge axis.

The ministry said the repair works would be carried out round the clock to ensure completion within the scheduled two-week period.

It apologised to motorists, businesses and other road users for the inconvenience the closure may cause, stressing that the intervention was necessary to strengthen the structural integrity of the bridge and ensure the safety of all road users.