First Niger Bridge demarcation not demolished, FG dismisses rumour

The Federal Government through the Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State Field Headquarters, Timothy Emenike, has debunked the rumours making the rounds that the newly-installed demarcation introduced during the ongoing rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge, has been destroyed.

Emenike clarified that the Ministry did not destroy the demarcation, bit only created openings around some places at the demarcation to enable vehicles make U-Turn in case of emergency and also to allow the Federal Road Safety Corps, fire service, and other traffic agencies carry out emergency duties whenever the need arises on the bridge.

Recall that the bridge was closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including its expansion-joint steelwork.

The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.

The bridge, which links Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, was built between in 1965 with an open, single-space roadway design.

However, the demarcation, introduced during the ongoing rehabilitation had sparked rumours, debate, controversy and criticisms over reduced carriageway space, traffic flow and emergency access.

The latest development had given room to rumours spreading across the social media insinuating that the demarcation had been demolished, raising growing public and professional concerns and fears across the South-East residents and motorists about the strategic bridge.

However, in an interview with some journalists who visited the bridge on Wednesday to ascertain the true picture of things, the Federal Controller of Works, Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, urged the people to discard the “dangerous” rumours, clarifying that the demarcation had not been demolished by the ministry.

Emenike said, “The demarcation was not destroyed. The Ministry only created some openings around the the demarcation to enable vehicles make U-Turn in case of emergency and also to allow the FRSC, fire service and other traffic agencies carry out emergency duties whenever the need arises on the bridge.

“The alleged destruction of the demarcation that was installed after the bridge rehabilitation is one of the lies some disgruntled elements are spreading and have been posting on the social media. It is one lie they have been telling to discredit the Ministry and to deceive the public.

“I am sure you have gone to the bridge to see things for yourselves and you saw the openings created for vehicles to make U Turn, did you see any removal or destruction of the demarcations?

“What we simply did was creating room for for vehicles to make U-Turn and for emergency purposes to allow the FRSC and Fire Service and other emergency workers and traffic agencies in case of emergency response. There was nothing like removal of the demarcation as being rumoured.”

Emenike also disclosed that all constructions that have to do with road tarring, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed.

He explained that painting of the railings had commenced since last week, adding that it will be completed any moment from now.

All constructions that have to do with road tarring, laying of ashphalt, fixing of expansion bolts and other critical components have been completed.

“Painting of the railings had commenced since last week and that will be completed any moment from now. The bolts for the lightning poles are being fixed.

“Baring no unforeseen circumstances, the bridge may likely be reopened before the end of this week since all construction works have been completed,” Emenike added.

However, our correspondent, who was at bridge on Wednesday, also observed that painting of the railing were going on, while fixing of bolts on the little spaces created in between the demarcations for electric poles were also going on simultaneously.

Some of the pedestrians walking through the bridge, who spoke with journalists, expressed satisfaction with the job already done.

They expressed optimism that the reopening of the bridge in no distant time will alleviate the current challenges of commuting on a daily basis.

A pedestrian, John Uche, said, “The ministry should consider directing all articulated and heavy-duty vehicles to use the Second Niger Bridge, while the First Niger Bridge is left for light vehicles.

This will ease traffic flow, reduce obstruction and preserve the lifespan of the old bridge.

“If this is adopted, remedial works should be carried out from Upper Iweka Interchange through Owerri Road to Obosi Interchange to allow smooth movement of heavy vehicles,” Uche added.

Also, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Onitsha branch, has credited President Bola Tinubu with the emergency repair of the first niger bridge Onitsha, Anambra State, saying the intervention marks one of the major infrastructure milestone of his administration.

“The Anambra and Delta State Governments in collaboration with the Federal Government should establish two fully equipped, 24-hour emergency and safety response centres, one on the Onitsha approach and one on the Asaba approach and each centre should have FRSC rescue team on standby, Ambulance with paramedics and first aid equipment, Fire truck and rescue equipment, Security patrol team,” the NSE added.