FG to ban heavy vehicles on First Niger Bridge

Amid persistent gridlocks on the First Niger Bridge, the Federal Government is considering the diversion of heavy duty vehicles and trucks to the Second Niger Bridge as temporary solution.

The Anambra State Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, saying that a barrier might be placed at both ends of the bridge any moment to prevent heavy duty trucks from plying the bridge.

Findings by South-East PUNCH at the First Niger Bridge over the weekend, showed that gridlock leading to long hours of standstill continues to plague the bridge connecting Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State since the reopening of the bridge on October 15.

The bridge was originally closed on September 7, 2026, after the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during an on-the-spot inspection, discovered severe structural vandalism, including missing bolts, cut steel components, and damaged expansion-jointed steelwork.

When the bridge was reopened, it came along with new road demarcation and median. The newly-installed modifications have narrowed the lanes on the bridge.

Motorists and commuters had observed that broken-down trailers, and heavy-duty trucks frequently become trapped or stuck within the tight, newly-demarcated lanes, completely blocking traffic flow.

They lamented that the blockages had left motorists and passengers stranded for hours, sparking widespread complaints and criticism of the new physical dividers.

The bridge users added that the gridlock is always worsened whenever a heavy duty truck breaks down on the bridge, as the situation always left other vehicles with no other option than to remain in one direction as the space left does not allow other vehicles to navigate through.

Noting the frequent gridlocks on the bridge, the Anambra State Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, said the planned move to divert the heavy duty vehicles to the Second Niger Bridge is expected to free up space at the First Niger Bridge and allow easy flow of traffic.

Emenike, however, urged drivers, especially heavy duty vehicles drivers, to always ensure broken down vehicles are parked at a position where it would not cause obstruction for other road users.

He said, “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. This gridlock can be prevented if motorists are intentional.

“A vehicle does not just develop problem on the road, before problem occurs, it doesn’t just stop the vehicle automatically. If a vehicle is in motion and problem happens, at least the driver can narrowly clear the vehicle properly to allow other vehicles move without blocking them. But our people don’t clear off the road whenever they noticed fault on their vehicle while driving.

“Those road demarcations were done to ensure ease of movement and before we did them, we tested and ensured that two vehicles could pass at a time. The problem is that some drivers park intentionally and obstruct others’ movement whenever their vehicle broke down.

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“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.

“So, for now, we are carrying out a lot of measures and one of the things we are considering is to divert heavy duty trucks, to the Second Niger Bridge which is wide enough to contain as many vehicles as possible.

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

However, motorists and drivers have expressed divergent views on the demarcation.

Some of the drivers who spoke in separate interviews blamed the gridlock on the new concrete demarcations on the bridge which made it difficult for another vehicle to navigate whenever a vehicle breaks down.

A drivers, who gave his name as Emeka, said, “Since the installation of the concrete demarcations, whenever a car, bus, or truck breaks down or stalls, it completely blocks that single lane, triggering severe traffic standstills.

“As it is, a single lane cannot accommodate two vehicles at a time, and that is where the problem lies, whenever, a vehicle, especially heavy duty vehicle, breaks down, other vehicles are left stranded as no other vehicle can penetrate.

“The ministry promised to provide towing vans at both ends of the bridge, for easy removal of broken down vehicles, but till date, that has not been done. Each time a vehicle breaks down, other vehicles are left stranded for several hours until a solution is found.”

A truck driver, Sanni, said, “It is unfortunate that my colleagues still find it difficult to adapt to the new design on the bridge. I urge them to always ensure their vehicles are in order before plying the road to avoid broken down vehicle.

“Whenever a heavy duty vehicle brakes down, it takes over the space on the single lane and prevents other vehicles from penetrating. However, everything boils down to the authorities. They should provide towing vans at both ends of the bridge for easy removal of broken down vehicles.”

A civil servant, who identified herself as Amaka, said, “The demarcation is a good development intended to ward off bad driving habits, especially from commercial drivers. But as it is, it has been creating gridlock for motorists due to frequent broken down of vehicles.

“In other not to make it a situation of solving one problem, and at the same time creating multiple problems, a barrier should be placed at both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy duty trucks from plying the bridge.”