JUST IN: FG TO DIVERT HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES FROM FIRST NIGER BRIDGE TO SECOND NIGER BRIDGE

The Federal Government is considering diverting heavy-duty vehicles and trucks from the First Niger Bridge to the Second Niger Bridge as a temporary measure to ease the persistent gridlock on the busy route.

The Anambra State Federal Controller of Works, *Timothy Emenike*, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday, saying a barrier might soon be placed at both ends of the First Niger Bridge to prevent heavy-duty trucks from plying it.

According to him, the gridlock on the bridge has been noted by the Ministry, and several measures are being explored to ensure ease of traffic, especially as the Yuletide season approaches.

> "The gridlock on the First Niger Bridge is noted and the ministry is exploring a lot of measures to ensure ease of traffic, especially as we approach the Yuletide season."

> "We know that a heavy-duty truck and a small vehicle can pass on one lane of the First Niger Bridge at the same time. But two heavy-duty vehicles cannot pass at the same time on the bridge. That is why the ministry is considering diverting the heavy-duty trucks to the Second Niger Bridge that is wide enough to contain them."

Findings show that since the reopening of the bridge on October 15, after it was closed on September 7, 2026 following severe structural vandalism discovered by the Minister of Works, *Dave Umahi*, including missing bolts, cut steel components and damaged expansion joints, motorists have continued to face long hours of standstill.

The situation has been worsened by broken-down trailers and heavy-duty trucks that often get trapped within the tight, newly demarcated lanes, completely blocking traffic flow.

Emenike noted that the Second Niger Bridge is wide enough to contain as many vehicles as possible, but remains under-utilised.

> "The Second Niger Bridge is wide enough to contain all of them, but we don't know why that place is under-utilised."

The planned diversion is expected to free up space on the First Niger Bridge, which connects Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, and allow easy flow of traffic for smaller vehicles.

Motorists are advised to comply with traffic directives as the Federal Government works to implement the measure.