By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NNEWI — The temporary closure of the 1st Niger Bridge to traffic for emergency maintenance commenced on Monday, with motorists diverted to the 2nd Niger Bridge.
The Federal Government had announced that the bridge would be closed for two weeks to enable the Federal Ministry of Works carry out maintenance and rehabilitation works aimed at restoring the structure to a safer and more durable condition.
The closure, which began in the early hours of Monday, September 7, saw heavy-duty construction vehicles and equipment deployed to the bridge, preventing vehicular movement between the Asaba and Onitsha ends.
Some residents of Asaba who work in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra, as well as Onitsha residents who work or do business in Asaba, told Vanguard that traffic was diverted to the 2nd Niger Bridge from about 5:30 a.m.
While describing the closure as necessary, some commuters expressed concern over the likely impact on movement, particularly because of the condition of the Owerri Road, Onitsha, which they said would come under increased pressure during the closure.
Residents of Onitsha and neighbouring communities, including Obosi, Oba, Nkpor and Oraifite, have for years complained about the deteriorated condition of the Owerri Road, particularly sections between Upper Iweka and the Metallurgical Training Institute, MTI, Obosi, and the Electrical Market area.
One of the residents, Okechukwu Ojukwu, said the closure of the 1st Niger Bridge would worsen congestion on the road.
“We have been calling on the Anambra State Government to pay attention to Owerri Road, Onitsha. Today, here we are and the situation has arisen. Owerri Road is unavoidable for anybody coming into Onitsha from Imo and Delta states to do business,” he said.
Ojukwu said the road had already been experiencing congestion and expressed concern that the diversion of additional traffic could worsen the situation.
He also appealed to relevant authorities to review the presence of security checkpoints along the route, which he said contributed to delays for commuters.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, deployed personnel to strategic locations around the Onitsha end of the bridge to manage traffic during the maintenance period.
In a statement by the command’s Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, the deployment was part of proactive measures to ensure effective traffic management, smooth vehicular movement and the safety of road users throughout the two-week closure.
The FRSC had also conducted a road audit of major routes connecting the 2nd Niger Bridge ahead of the closure.
The exercise was led by the Anambra State Sector Commander, Bridget Asekhauno, in collaboration with relevant officials, including the Sector Head of Operations, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works in Anambra and Delta states, and the Commander of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA).
According to the FRSC, the audit was aimed at assessing routes expected to facilitate traffic during the closure and identifying areas requiring urgent intervention to minimise congestion and road crashes.
Motorists were advised to use alternative routes connecting the 2nd Niger Bridge, including the Nkpor–Old Road–Obosi route, Onitsha–Owerri Road from Upper Iweka, and Atani Road through Uga Junction to Harbour Industrial Layout.
The FRSC also appealed to motorists and other road users to cooperate with personnel deployed to strategic locations.
The Anambra State Government had earlier notified residents of the closure, explaining that the rehabilitation became necessary because of the deteriorating condition of the bridge’s carriageway and damage to some of its components.
The government advised motorists to use the 2nd Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, during the maintenance period.
Similarly, the Managing Director of ARTMA, Emeka Okonkwo, urged motorists to obey temporary road signs and diversion instructions, exercise caution around construction zones and cooperate with traffic-management personnel.
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