Posted by Chinenye on Fri 04th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
A major traffic disruption is coming to Onitsha as authorities prepare to shut one of the city’s key bridges for urgent repairs.
(Niger Bridge .Photo by Arise News)
The Federal Ministry of Works has announced a complete closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha for two weeks beginning Monday, September 7, to undertake urgent emergency maintenance and rehabilitation.
The closure will last until Monday, September 21, with all motorists directed to use the Second Niger Bridge during this period.
The bridge's carriageway surface and structural components require immediate attention following vandalism that has damaged expansion joints, stanchion steelwork and bolts.
Minister of Works Dave Umahi recently visited the site and expressed serious concern over the bridge's deteriorated condition, directing emergency repairs to commence immediately.
SKECC, the contractor overseeing the Km 0+000-Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, has been tasked with executing the emergency work.
The planned repairs include milling and removal of deteriorated asphalt surfacing, laying approximately forty millimetres of new asphalt wearing course and completing associated maintenance and safety work.
The rehabilitation will also feature installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras to monitor the bridge and deter future vandalism.
Traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel will be deployed to guide motorists around the closure.
Work will continue both day and night to accelerate project completion.
The ministry urges motorists to obey temporary traffic signs, reduce speed in construction zones and avoid reckless overtaking.
Appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures will be deployed to improve safety and ease movement around the bridge axis.
The ministry apologised for inconvenience to businesses and road users but stressed the intervention is necessary to strengthen the bridge's structural integrity and improve safety standards.