The Federal Government has dismissed reports that the newly installed demarcation on the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, was demolished during the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge.
The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, said the demarcation remained intact, explaining that the ministry only created openings at selected points to provide room for emergency U-turns and facilitate the movement of emergency response agencies.
Emenike made the clarification on Wednesday while speaking with journalists who visited the bridge to verify reports circulating on social media about the alleged removal of the demarcation.
He urged residents and motorists to disregard what he described as “dangerous” rumours, stressing that the openings were deliberately created to improve emergency access.
“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.”
The First Niger Bridge was temporarily closed to traffic from September 7 to 21 for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance after vandalised structural components, including parts of its expansion-joint steelwork, were discovered.
The closure was later extended by one week because of persistent rainfall and other unforeseen circumstances.
The bridge, which connects Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, was constructed in 1965 with an open, single-space roadway design. The new demarcation introduced during the rehabilitation had generated debate over the available carriageway space, traffic movement and access for emergency operations.
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Emenike also disclosed that major construction activities on the bridge had been completed, including road tarring, asphalt laying and the installation of expansion bolts and other critical components.
“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.
A visit to the bridge on Wednesday also showed workers painting the railings, while bolts were being fixed in spaces created between the demarcations for electric poles.
Some pedestrians who spoke with journalists expressed satisfaction with the progress of the rehabilitation and said they looked forward to the reopening of the bridge to ease the difficulties faced by commuters.
One of them, John Uche, suggested that articulated and heavy-duty vehicles should be directed to use the Second Niger Bridge, leaving the First Niger Bridge primarily for lighter vehicles.
“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.
Meanwhile, the Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers commended President Bola Tinubu over the emergency rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge, describing the intervention as one of the major infrastructure milestones of his administration.
The NSE also called for the establishment of two fully equipped emergency and safety response centres, one at the Onitsha approach and another at the Asaba approach.
“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.