The Federal Government will temporarily close the old Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, to allow major rehabilitation work to be carried out on the structure.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the planned closure during an inspection of the Ogbunike interchange, which connects Anambra State to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi said the bridge would be shut seven days after Friday, with motorists redirected to the Second Niger Bridge while the repairs are ongoing.
The rehabilitation will include the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras to improve security and visibility on the bridge.
The minister said the Federal Government plans to restore the old Niger Bridge to a standard similar to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
Umahi also highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing road projects across the South-East, saying the region was receiving significant infrastructure investments under the Tinubu administration.
He urged residents of the region to support the administration’s projects and back President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election to ensure their continuation.
The minister further assured contractors handling federal projects that outstanding payments for certified completed works would be settled.
The closure of the old Niger Bridge is expected to shift traffic to the Second Niger Bridge during the rehabilitation period.
