By: Anne Azuka
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has said the First Niger Bridge will not reopen to traffic until critical structural rehabilitation works are completed.
Umahi spoke at the Onitsha Bridge Head after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
The Federal Government closed the bridge to traffic for emergency repairs after vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of the expansion-joint steelwork, were discovered.
The closure, initially scheduled to end on Sept. 21, was extended by one week because of persistent rainfall.
Umahi commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded, saying the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, while the stolen specialised expansion joint had been manufactured and flown into Nigeria for installation.
He said the quality of work completed within about 10 days was commendable but stressed that the bridge would not be reopened prematurely.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said.
The minister directed the contractor to repaint the bridge’s structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas and remove illegal advertisements mounted on the structure.
He also ordered additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance system to be linked to the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi directed an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements above and below water level, with the report to be submitted before completion of the current phase.
On the bridge approaches, he directed a review of the proposed asphalt works, recommending concrete on sections scheduled for subsequent reconstruction to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra states, Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of the rehabilitation.
He said the minister’s earlier directives on replacing vandalised components had been implemented and deteriorated asphalt sections had also been replaced.
“We are pleased with the speed of work,” Aniagwu said.(Day Break.ng)
