The Federal Ministry of Works has assured commuters and motorists that, barring “unforeseen circumstances”, the First Niger Bridge may be reopened before the end of this week, as all major construction works have been completed.

The Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, stated this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday while clarifying the openings created along the newly installed demarcation on the bridge.

Recall that the bridge, linking Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, was built in 1965 and closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including its expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.

However, when the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, visited the bridge for an on-the-spot inspection on September 23, he said the bridge would not reopen to traffic until major structural rehabilitation works were completed.

Umahi had insisted that 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,” Umahi said.

However, our correspondent, who visited the bridge, gathered that the uncertainty surrounding its reopening had increased pressure on and anxiety among motorists and commuters who had been diverted to the Second Niger Bridge, resulting in longer travel times, increased transportation costs and the burden of navigating the dilapidated alternative inner routes provided.

But while giving hope and assurance to motorists, the Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, said the anticipated reopening was expected to provide relief to motorists and residents who had faced disruptions during the rehabilitation period.

Emenike said the major construction activities, including the tarring of the bridge, had been completed, while the painting of the railings was still ongoing.

He assured motorists and commuters that, barring “unforeseen circumstances”, the bridge would likely be reopened before the end of this week, since all construction works had been completed.

He said, “The railing-painting exercise, which began last week, is expected to be completed shortly. Barring ‘unforeseen circumstances’, the bridge could be reopened before the end of the week.

“The ongoing finishing works, like the painting of railings, indicate that the major rehabilitation activities have been completed. Some supporting infrastructure and safety-related installations like solar light poles are being finalised before full reopening.

“All construction works that have to do with road tarring, laying of asphalt, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed. The bolts for the solar light poles are being fixed.

“Motorists will heave a sigh of relief when the bridge is reopened soon. All the necessary infrastructure to ensure free flow of traffic have been put in place. The rehabilitation works carried out were aimed at easing traffic and ensuring the safety of road users.”

Although the controller could not state categorically whether photographs of President Bola Tinubu would be installed at the bridge before its reopening, as directed by the minister during his visit, he rejected claims making the rounds that the newly installed demarcations had been removed or destroyed.

He accused some individuals of circulating fake photographs to discredit the ministry and mislead members of the public.

“The alleged removal of the brick demarcation that was installed after the bridge rehabilitation is one of the lies some disgruntled elements are telling and posting with fake pictures on social media to discredit the ministry and deceive the public,” Emenike added.

He added that visitors to the bridge could see that the demarcations remained in place, except for the designated openings created for emergency U-turns.

The clarification comes as rehabilitation work on the First Niger Bridge approaches completion.

Findings showed that the anticipated reopening was expected to provide relief to motorists and residents who had faced disruptions during the rehabilitation period, increasing the importance of the bridge to commuters and businesses operating around Onitsha and other parts of Anambra.

In an interview, an Onitsha resident and motorist, Uche Adieme, said, “For road users, the reopening is significant because the First Niger Bridge remains an important transport link for people travelling within and around Onitsha.

“Prolonged restrictions on the bridge have affected daily commuting and placed additional pressure on alternative routes.

“The diversion of traffic to the Second Niger Bridge has provided an alternative route, but reopening the rehabilitated crossing would help distribute traffic more efficiently and reduce the pressure created by concentrating movements on a limited number of routes.

“The development also carries implications for commercial activity in the Onitsha area. The city is a major trading and distribution centre, and efficient road connectivity is important for the movement of goods, workers and consumers.

“Any disruption to major transport links can increase travel times and raise logistics costs for businesses.” (The PUNCH)

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