Constant rainfall has disrupted the planned reopening of the First Niger Bridge, which was closed two weeks ago for rehabilitation works, thereby extending heavy traffic congestion, longer travel times and increased transportation costs for commuters travelling between Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State.

It was gathered that the reopening suffered a setback, following the constant heavy rainfall across the state, thereby extending the reopening by an extra week.

Recall that the Federal Government had, through the Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, announced the closure of the bridge in Onitsha for two weeks, from September 7 to 21, 2026, to allow for rehabilitation and maintenance works.

The Acting Federal Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, announced the closure in a statement, saying that the bridge, which connects motorists from Anambra and Delta states, will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, 2026, and is expected to reopen on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Emenike advised motorists and other road users to use the Second Niger Bridge route through Obosi, Onitsha-Owerri Road towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations throughout the closure period.

The two-week closure of the bridge was aimed at carrying out emergency repairs to replace its vandalised railings, bolts and nuts, including portions of the expansion-joint steelwork and stanchion/steel truss nuts, as well as the installation of CCTV cameras, and also general improvement of the bridge to restore the facility to a safe and properly motorable condition.

However, when our correspondent visited the bridge on Monday (today), amidst heavy rainfall, the bridge was still barricaded with heavy construction vehicles and equipment, including caterpillars, while some on-site workers were seen performing some activities at the bridge.

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It was also discovered that some sections of the bridge that had already been worked upon had been affected by the persistent rainfall.

When contacted on the telephone, Emenike said the reopening of the bridge may no longer be possible for now, adding that following the impact of the rainfall on the project, the contractor would require at least three consecutive dry days for work to resume.

Emenike added that, in view of the circumstances, the completion date for the maintenance work had been extended by one week, subject to favourable weather conditions.

He also explained that the lighting challenges affecting night operations had been addressed, while the security issues around the bridge had also been resolved.

He said, “We have actually done a lot of work on most portions of the bridge, but with the constant heavy rains for almost one week, some areas have been affected and need at least three dry days for us to return to site.

“So, in view of what is on the ground, we have extended the date for the completion of the project by one week, depending on the weather. For now, we pray that we shall have three dry days for us to return to site.

“Once the maintenance work on the bridge is completed, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, will undertake another inspection of the project to assess the work and give approval for the reopening of the bridge.”

However, one of the site engineers, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said, “The vandalised bolts and nuts have been fixed. We are at the asphalt level at the moment, but we are having little downtime due to incessant rainfall each time it rains.

“Within this period, we had almost three days of rain, and each time there is rainfall for a day, the job is delayed for two days or more. The rains also prevented the arrival of some materials like asphalt, and at the moment, we are waiting for asphalt, although the ministry has ordered it.

“Inadequate lighting also affected night operations, as the security of workers and the safety of materials could not be guaranteed.

“With the development, the planned reopening of the bridge may not proceed as scheduled today, due to the fact that the job is not yet completed. Motorists will still be making use of the alternative routes provided. The Ministry of Works is still aiming to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.”

It was also observed that motorists and commuters coming from the Asaba end of the bridge faced heavy delays, scrambling for alternative routes via the Onitsha-Owerri Road, with higher fares.

Some commuters were seen alighting from various vehicles upon approaching the diversion to the alternative routes, as they resorted to trekking along the bridge to continue the journey to their destinations. Others also took commercial boats or walked across parts of the area.

A motorist, who identified himself as Uchenna Orji, said, “This is the situation we have found ourselves in today. While we commend their efforts at ensuring the safe condition of the bridge, it must be pointed out that the suffering and untold hardship motorists are facing today on this route is due to their lack of proper planning.

“The resultant gridlock on the alternative routes provided is worsened by the poor conditions of the roads. The authorities should have first fixed these alternative routes before closing the bridge; it would have saved motorists the untold hardship.”

Another commuter, a trader, Nkiruka Ozo, said, “People plying this route now spend over three hours for a journey of less than 45 minutes due to the very bad portions of the alternative routes, especially the Onitsha-Owerri Road.

“Apart from that, the transportation cost has more than tripled, thereby extending the hardship on motorists. We urge the authorities concerned to speed up the work.” (PUNCH)