By Suzy Chukwuedom | Anambra
ONITSHA, Anambra State — Traders operating under the auspices of UPJA Ltd, Ogbosisi, Niger Street, Onitsha, have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, following the reopening of the First Niger Bridge after approximately five weeks of rehabilitation and maintenance work.
The traders, who operate around the Bridge Head market area, described the reopening as a major relief for businesses and commuters whose movements were disrupted during the closure.
Chairman of UPJA Ltd, Mr Odirachukwuma Nwosu, praised President Tinubu for prioritising the rehabilitation and safety upgrade of the strategic bridge, noting that the intervention was important to sustaining commercial activities and improving transportation between the South-East and South-South regions.
Nwosu also commended Governor Soludo for supporting traffic management efforts during the closure, particularly through the provision and management of alternative routes to ease movement for traders, motorists and visitors entering Onitsha.
He said the reopening had brought relief to businesses around Bridge Head and neighbouring markets, while congratulating Nigerians on the restoration of access to the critical transport link.
The Federal Government officially reopened the First Niger Bridge to traffic on Thursday after approximately five weeks of closure for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance.
The bridge connects Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State and serves as a major transport corridor for commercial activities between the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, formally reopened the bridge at a ceremony attended by representatives of the Federal Government and the governments of Anambra and Delta states, alongside traditional rulers from the two states.
Speaking at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi said the emergency intervention was undertaken to address structural concerns, improve traffic movement and ensure motorists’ safety.
He, however, clarified that although the bridge had been declared safe for use and reopened to commuters, some finishing works remained outstanding.
“We have every reason to thank the governors of Anambra and Delta states. We must also commend the contractors, SKCC, very highly; they have worked very well. We are not 100 per cent done because we are going to do more,” the minister said.
Umahi also used the occasion to canvass support for President Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid, urging people in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones to acknowledge the administration’s infrastructure projects in the regions.
Describing Tinubu as a “detribalised Nigerian,” the minister argued that the bridge rehabilitation, alongside other ongoing highway projects, demonstrated the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development across different parts of the country.
“What other regions are getting, the people of South-South and South-East are getting it. So why should we not appreciate the President?” Umahi asked.
He also referenced the Enugu-Onitsha Road, saying previous administrations had failed to resolve the road’s longstanding problems, and declared that he had no regrets supporting Tinubu.
Formally declaring the bridge open, Umahi described the rehabilitation as an important intervention for communities and businesses that depend on the transport corridor.
Originally constructed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge remains a vital economic link between eastern and southern Nigeria. Its recent closure reportedly followed the discovery of damaged or vandalised structural components, including steelwork associated with its expansion joints.
The reopening is expected to ease movement between Onitsha and Asaba, although motorists may still encounter work-related restrictions while outstanding finishing activities are completed.
