The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge connecting Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, following 38 days of closure for emergency rehabilitation.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the reopening on Thursday at a ceremony attended by government representatives and traditional rulers from both states.

The bridge was shut to motorists on September 7 after vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints, were discovered, necessitating urgent repairs.

The closure was initially expected to last until September 21 but was extended indefinitely due to persistent rainfall and other setbacks that affected the rehabilitation schedule.

Speaking during the reopening ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi called on residents of the South-East and South-South regions to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the administration’s infrastructure projects in the areas.

The minister expressed satisfaction with his support for Tinubu, describing the President as qualified to lead the country and commending his administration for its interventions in the two regions.

“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” Umahi said.

He added, “I am very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country.”

Umahi said the reopening was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and providing better transportation links for residents and businesses.

He formally declared the bridge open, expressing appreciation to God and acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts to address infrastructure needs in the South-East and South-South.

The minister also commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states, alongside the construction firm, SKCC, for their contributions to the rehabilitation project.

“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.

According to Umahi, the repairs were undertaken to improve traffic movement and enhance the safety of motorists using the strategic crossing. He, however, noted that some aspects of the work remained unfinished.

Completed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge is a critical transportation link between Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions, facilitating the movement of people, goods and commercial traffic across the Niger River.