The Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, has officially announced the closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha to commence repair works.

The closure comes after last week’s visit by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who inspected a vandalised section of the bridge, where bolts and iron rods had been stolen by scavengers.

An official press release by the ministry’s field office in Anambra, signed by the State Controller, Mr Timothy Emenike, noted that the bridge would be closed for two weeks, starting Monday, 7 September 2026.

The release read: “The attention of the general public, motorists and other road users is hereby drawn to the deteriorated condition of the First Niger Bridge, Onitsha, particularly the carriageway surface and certain bridge components affected by vandalism, including portions of the expansion joint steelworks and stanchion/steel truss nuts and bolts.

The ministry said part of the work to be done on the bridge includes milling and removal of the existing deteriorated asphalt surfacing, laying of approximately 40mm asphalt wearing course and necessary associated maintenance and safety works on the bridge.

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