The Federal Government has said the First Niger Bridge will reopen to motorists next week following the completion of critical rehabilitation works on the major link between Anambra and Delta states.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inspection of repair works at the Onitsha Bridge Head.

The bridge was shut earlier this month after vandals were discovered to have removed vital structural components, including bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall.

Umahi said the contractor, SKECC, had made substantial progress, including the replacement and proper fastening of the vandalised bolts.

He added that the specialised expansion joint removed by the vandals had been manufactured and brought into the country for installation.

The minister, however, cautioned that the bridge would not be reopened until the necessary structural works had been completed and safety requirements met.

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

He directed the contractor to undertake additional works, including repainting the bridge’s structural components, caps and internal carriageway sections, as well as removing illegal advertisements mounted on the facility.

Umahi also ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system to be connected to the Second Niger Bridge.

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

According to him, the assessment report must be submitted before the ongoing phase of rehabilitation is concluded.

On the approaches to the bridge, the minister directed a review of the proposed asphalt works, insisting that concrete should be used on sections likely to be reconstructed in the future.

He said the measure would prevent government funds from being wasted on asphalt that could later be removed during reconstruction.

Umahi added that one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attained the required strength, while rehabilitation continued on the other carriageway.

Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of the rehabilitation.

Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and ordered the replacement of the vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.

He said the directives had been implemented, while damaged sections of the asphalt surface had also been removed and replaced.

“We are pleased with the speed of work. We also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.

The commissioner said the rehabilitation had significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence in the durability of the repairs.

He also commended motorists and other road users for their cooperation throughout the rehabilitation process.