By Tony Ezike
The APC Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, FCNA, has congratulated Nigerians from all walks of life, particularly commuters, transport operators, traders, business owners and residents of the South-East and South-South regions, on the official reopening of the First Niger Bridge following 38 days of emergency repairs.
Senator Ekwunife described the reopening of the historic bridge on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as a welcome development that would restore the free flow of traffic between Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State, ease the movement of people and goods, and provide significant relief to millions of Nigerians who depend on the vital transport corridor for their daily activities.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and successive leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for breaking the longstanding pattern of using the maintenance of the First Niger Bridge and the construction of the Second Niger Bridge as instruments of seasonal politicking rather than sustained commitments to infrastructure development.
According to her, the APC has demonstrated that action speaks louder than words, stressing that the timely intervention, rehabilitation and reopening of the First Niger Bridge reflect the importance of responsible leadership, practical governance and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Senator Ekwunife noted that the First Niger Bridge is more than a transportation facility, describing it as a vital economic lifeline that connects communities, facilitates commerce, strengthens interregional relationships and supports the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
She observed that the bridge’s closure, necessitated by the vandalisation and theft of critical structural components, underscored the urgent need for greater public vigilance and stronger protection of government-owned infrastructure.
The APC senatorial candidate also showered encomiums on the Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator Dr David Umahi, whom she described as a super minister and a workaholic engineer who has turned Nigeria into an amazing construction site through his commitment to road construction, bridge rehabilitation and other critical infrastructure projects across the country.
She praised the minister’s determination to ensure that the First Niger Bridge received the necessary emergency repairs, despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and the technical demands of the maintenance work.
According to Senator Ekwunife, the minister’s hands-on approach to infrastructure delivery reflects the administration’s resolve to prioritise public safety, preserve national assets and ensure that critical road networks remain functional for the benefit of Nigerians.
She further stated that the reopening of the bridge should serve as a reminder that infrastructure development does not end with construction alone, but also requires consistent maintenance, responsible use and collective protection against vandalism.
While congratulating Nigerians on the reopening, Senator Ekwunife issued a strong warning to individuals involved in the destruction, theft or vandalisation of public infrastructure, urging them to desist from such acts or face the full security and legal consequences of their actions. She further commended the Federal Ministry of Works for initiating measures in place to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and ensure that offenders are identified and brought to justice.
The senator urged security agencies to remain vigilant and intensify surveillance around the bridge and other strategic national assets, while calling on residents, motorists, transport unions, traders and other road users to cooperate with the authorities. She appealed to citizens to promptly report any suspicious activity, attempted theft, vandalism or other forms of infringement around the bridge to the appropriate security agencies, emphasising that the protection of public infrastructure is a collective responsibility.
Senator Ekwunife reaffirmed that the continued development of critical infrastructure remains essential to economic growth, national integration and improved living standards, expressing optimism that sustained investment in roads and bridges would further strengthen commerce and connectivity across Nigeria.
She urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at preserving the country’s infrastructure and to remain committed to the collective responsibility of building a safer, more prosperous and economically connected nation.
She concluded by wishing commuters and other users of the First Niger Bridge safe and seamless journeys, while expressing confidence that the Tinubu administration’s sustained commitment to infrastructure development would continue to deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians throughout the President’s first and second terms. She added that the reward for a job well done is more responsibility, expressing optimism that the administration’s achievements would earn it renewed public confidence and another mandate to consolidate on its development strides.
