The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the First Niger Bridge will not be reopened to traffic until critical structural rehabilitation works on the facility are completed.
Umahi spoke on Wednesday at the Onitsha Bridge Head shortly after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
The Federal Government had closed the bridge to traffic for emergency rehabilitation, following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of the expansion-joint steelwork. The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, has been extended by one week because of persistent rainfall.
Umahi, who commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded, said the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, while the specialised expansion joint that was stolen had been manufactured and flown into the country for installation.
He said the quality of work carried out within about 10 days was commendable, stressing that; “we are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved".
The minister directed the contractor to incorporate additional works into the rehabilitation, including the repainting of the bridge’s structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas, as well as the removal of illegal advertisements mounted on the bridge.
He also ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras on the bridge, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further directed that an empirical assessment be conducted on the structural elements below and above the water level to determine the condition of the bridge. He said the report was expected to be submitted to him before the completion of the current phase of work.
On the approaches to the bridge, the Minister directed a review of the proposed use of asphalt, saying concrete should be used on sections that would subsequently undergo reconstruction.
He explained that the measure would prevent government from spending money on asphalt only to destroy it later when the approaches are reconstructed, adding that one carriageway could be opened after the concrete attained the required strength before work commenced on the other.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu recalled that Umahi had inspected the bridge on August 28 and issued directives for the replacement of vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He said the directives had been implemented, while sections of the deteriorated asphaltic surface had also been scarified and replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We want to also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.
He said the rehabilitation had significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence that the work would stand the test of time.
