THE Anambra State Government has notified residents of the state of the temporary closure of the First Niger Bridge to traffic from September 7 to 21, 2026, to facilitate emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works.
News Point Nigeria reports that the closure is aimed at allowing the Federal Ministry of Works to undertake urgent repairs on the bridge and restore it to a safer and more durable condition. The First Niger Bridge links Anambra and Delta states and remains a major route for motorists travelling between the South-East and other parts of the country.
The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, signed the Federal Ministry of Works’ statement announcing the closure, while the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) also issued guidance through its Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo.
The state government explained that the rehabilitation, which is expected to last two weeks, has become necessary due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge’s carriageway and the destruction of some of its components.
According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the affected components include portions of the expansion-joint steelwork as well as stanchion and steel-truss nuts and bolts that have been affected by vandalisation.
The intervention is expected to address the immediate challenges affecting the bridge and restore a safe, smooth and durable riding surface, while also improving its motorability and reducing traffic difficulties around the First Niger Bridge axis.
Motorists have therefore been advised to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, as the preferred alternative route during the maintenance and closure period.
The Federal Ministry of Works said appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers, traffic-control personnel and other necessary safety measures would be deployed to guide motorists and ensure the safety of road users, construction workers and other members of the public.
“The Managing Director of the agency, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, has urged motorists to obey temporary road signs and diversion instructions, exercise caution around construction zones and cooperate with traffic-management personnel to ensure safe and orderly movement throughout the period,” ARTMA said in its statement.
Motorists have also been advised to approach construction and diversion zones with caution, reduce speed, avoid reckless overtaking and follow the directions of traffic-control personnel and security agencies.
The ministry further advised road users to allow additional travel time and plan their journeys accordingly, while using the Second Niger Bridge via the Obosi-Asaba route where practicable.
The planned rehabilitation will involve emergency maintenance works aimed at restoring the bridge to a safer and more durable condition, with construction activities expected to be carried out during the day and at night to facilitate rapid completion and minimise traffic disruption.
Other planned interventions include the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, alongside appropriate traffic-control and diversion measures.
The Federal Government said the temporary inconvenience caused by the closure was regrettable but necessary in the public interest, particularly to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition and improve the free flow of traffic along the critical national transportation corridor.
The government and ARTMA appealed to motorists, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements throughout the rehabilitation period.
The planned works, the authorities said, are expected to address the immediate challenges affecting the bridge and support safer movement for motorists once the rehabilitation is completed.