Tinubu’s Minister Umahi Orders Niger Bridge Fixed with Market Bolts, Endangers Lives of Nigerians

Minister of Works David Umahi has ordered the Controller of Works in Anambra State to purchase replacement bolts from the local market and complete welding on the First Niger Bridge by Saturday, a directive that has sparked concerns over the absence of any engineering review, technical study or second opinion before critical repairs are carried out on the bridge.

During an inspection of the bridge on Thursday, Umahi expressed concern over the vandalism of bolts, expansion joints and iron bars holding the First Niger Bridge together, describing the development as dangerous. He acknowledged that replacing the stolen bolts would be difficult because the bridge is under tension. “The bolts holding this bridge have been vandalised and stolen, including the overhead steel bar which has been disconnected, and that is even more dangerous. This will be very difficult to refix because the bridge is under tension, and as I’m dragging it, it will make the members to yield,” Umahi said.

Despite this admission, the minister did not call for any engineering assessment or technical review before proceeding with the repairs. Instead, he directed the Controller of Works in Anambra State, Engr. Timothy Emenike, to take the bolts to the market, procure the correct size and fix them at once. “Buy the bolt tomorrow and fix them and let the welding take place on Saturday. As I will go to rest after this inspection, you will not rest until you fix these problems,” Umahi told the official.

The minister’s approach has raised questions about the safety and durability of the repairs. The First Niger Bridge is a critical infrastructure asset that carries thousands of vehicles daily between the South-East and South-South regions. The bolts that were stolen are structural components that hold sections of the bridge together. Replacing them with bolts purchased from the local market without any engineering study or quality assurance has left many Nigerians concerned about the long-term integrity of the bridge.

Umahi also ordered the immediate installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights on the bridge to monitor activities and help security agencies apprehend vandals. He said the CCTV system would be linked to the police and relevant officials for real-time monitoring. “The Federal Government cannot build bridges for the people and vandals will continue to destroy them. Henceforth, the entire bridge will be fitted with cameras to ensure that these vandals are arrested,” he said.

The minister also inspected the Second Niger Bridge, where erosion around its base had eaten into the foundation, endangering motorists. He ordered the immediate arrest of anyone found excavating sand around the bridge. “I don’t want to know who they are. Once you find anyone excavating sand around this area, you must arrest them before you contact us. Don’t just report to us; arrest them before you contact us,” Umahi ordered.

The Federal Government has since announced that the First Niger Bridge will be closed for two weeks starting from Monday, September 7, 2026, to enable the installation of solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras across the bridge. Traffic will be diverted to the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi and Asaba. The government also plans to restore the bridge to the same quality as the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

But the decision to procure replacement bolts from the local market without any engineering study has raised serious concerns about the government’s approach to maintaining critical national infrastructure. No engineering review. No study. No second opinion. Just a directive to go to the market and buy bolts. The lives of millions of Nigerians who depend on that bridge every day hang in the balance.

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