From Emma Elekwa, Awka
First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, with Asaba, Delta State was, on Thursday, reopened to the public, following a 38-day rehabilitation works, with photographs of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima displayed on the bridge.
Recall that the bridge, built in 1965 was closed to traffic from September 7 to 21, 2026 to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works, following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including its expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure was extended beyond the original deadline, following persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances that delayed the work.
Speaking during the bridge reopening, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to the affairs that concern Nigeria, South East and South South in particular.
He said the same treatment the present government gave to the Third Mainland Bridge was what it gave to the Second Niger Bridge and other critical infrastructure across the country.
He added that what other regions of the country are getting, the South East and South South are also getting from Tinubu’s government.
According to him, all the roads and bridges the Federal Government is currently constructing are made to last 100 years.
The Minister, who interjected his speech with the song, ‘On your mandate we shall stand,’ took some time to berate the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, adding that he and others were only marauding as candidates.
He said, “All the necessary infrastructure and the vandalised components at the bridge have been fixed to ensure free flow of traffic. The rehabilitation works carried out were aimed at easing traffic and ensuring the safety of road users.
”I am not into regional politics. I am following who is performing. Can anybody give us the alternative to President Bola Tinubu who has salvaged the country from catastrophic situation. Can Peter Obi do what Tinubu is doing?
”What you are seeing here on the bridge is what will soon come in Anambra State in no distant time. I have the bragging right of the President. Why are people not talking about all the roads in the country he is working on?
”The President has approved the dualisation of Oba Okigwe Expressway. Why are people not seeing all these? Democracy is about development and infrastructure. We are here to demonstrate that South East is for President Tinubu.
”We didn’t vote Tinubu in the first election, and the reason then was because the administration of Buhari didn’t treat the South East well. This time, we will vote for Tinubu massively.
”No one has the right to put billboards on the Federal Highways. Tell Peter Obi and the Obedient Movement that if they pay, they will be allowed to put their bill boards on the highways.
”I want to also commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly. They have worked. The evidence of what had been done at the bridge is a total testimony that Tinubu is indeed a detribalised Nigerian.
”We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare in opening this bridge that I have no regret supporting Mr President.
”I am very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is the most qualified, and eminently qualified to lead this country.
”And so, by the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of South South and South East in this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, and with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus name.”
The Minister also reiterated the ban on sand mining around the bridge, insisting that anyone who wants to do sand mining must give 10km after the bridge.
Our correspondent gathered that the bridge rehabilitation works was completed with some of the railings at the bridge had been repainted, although, some painters were seen still putting finishing touches to painting of the railings.
The newly-installed demarcations were also painted, while CCTV cameras were installed at different sections of the Bridge, as well as other key infrastructural components.
Umahi had, during an on-the-spot inspection at the bridge some weeks back, ordered that the pictures of Tinubu will be pasted on the First Niger Bridge to appreciate him for the good works he is doing in the South East..
According to him “Once we are done with work on this bridge, I want all the illegal adverts on this bridge removed. For now, the bridge will be decorated with the pictures of President Tinubu.
“The President has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures.”
The traditional rulers from Anambra and Delta states, who were at the event, hailed the Federal Government, noting that this was the first and major rehabilitation work at the bridge since its opening in 1965.
Some few motorists, who spoke to our correspondent, heaved a sigh of relief over the development, saying that the reopening would definitely ease commuters stress and burden as well as high cost of transportation fare occasioned by diversion of routes.