By Yahaya Idris
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered additional rehabilitation and structural assessment of the First Niger Bridge before it is reopened to motorists.
Umahi gave the directives on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Onitsha end of the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
The bridge was closed for emergency rehabilitation after the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The initial September 21 reopening date was extended by one week because of persistent rainfall.
The minister said the contractor, SKECC, had replaced and secured the vandalised bolts, while a specialised expansion joint had been manufactured and brought into Nigeria for installation.
While commending the progress of work, Umahi said safety considerations would determine when the bridge would reopen.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said.
Beyond the immediate repairs, the minister directed the contractor to repaint the structural elements, caps and internal carriageway areas of the bridge.
He also ordered the removal of illegal advertisements from the structure and directed the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights.
The CCTV cameras being installed on the bridge are also to be completed and linked to the surveillance system on the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi further directed an empirical assessment of structural components located both below and above the water level.
He said the assessment would provide additional information on the condition of the bridge and that the report should reach him before the current phase of rehabilitation is completed.
The minister also raised concerns about the treatment of the bridge approaches, directing officials to review plans for the use of asphalt.
He recommended concrete for sections of the approaches that would later require reconstruction, explaining that such a measure would avoid wasting public funds on asphalt that would subsequently be removed.
Umahi said one carriageway could be opened once the concrete attained the required strength, while work continued on the other carriageway.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the Federal Government for the pace of the rehabilitation.
Aniagwu said the directives issued by Umahi during his August 28 inspection had been implemented, including the replacement of vandalised bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
He added that damaged sections of the asphalt surface had 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.