The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the Federal Government will not reopen the First Niger Bridge until major structural rehabilitation works are completed, regardless of public pressure.
Umahi made the statement on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing repairs at the Onitsha Bridge Head.
He said the government would not be rushed into reopening the bridge before the critical structural components identified for repair had been properly fixed.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” he said.
The bridge was closed to traffic for emergency rehabilitation after inspectors discovered vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and sections of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure was initially due to end on September 21, but has been extended by one week because persistent rainfall has slowed the repair work.
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