Works Minister Umahi Mandates Tinubu's Portraits on First Niger Bridge

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has issued a directive for photographs of President Bola Tinubu to be prominently featured on the First Niger Bridge, which serves as a vital link between Anambra and Delta states. This instruction came on Wednesday while Umahi was conducting an inspection of the bridge's ongoing rehabilitation work, specifically at the Onitsha section located in Anambra State.

Minister Umahi stated that the Senior Special Assistants to the President for the South-East and South-South regions are tasked with 'beautifying' and 'colouring' the bridge with Tinubu's images. He emphasized that the President deserves appreciation for his swift intervention and the high standard of work being carried out on the rehabilitation project.

Umahi quoted, "But in the meantime, the South-South and South-East SSAs to Mr. President, they have to fertilize the bridge. They’ll beautify, they’ll color it with the President’s pictures. Because the President deserves to be appreciated, you know, by the quick intervention and the quality of work that the President is doing in this place."

In addition to the presidential portraits, the minister also ordered the immediate removal of all unauthorized advertisements from the bridge. He clarified that any individual or entity wishing to place advertisements on the structure must first secure approval from the Ministry of Works.

"And all illegal advertisement on the bridge, be removed. If anybody wants to advertise for anything, has to apply to Ministry of Works," Umahi stated.

Further directives from the Minister included the installation of additional solar lighting and the full completion of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras system on the bridge. He also called for the immediate connection to the Second Niger Bridge.

Umahi noted, "He has now instructed that additional solar light should be done, and the CCTV should be completed, and the link to the Second Niger Bridge, immediately."

Furthermore, Umahi revealed that he has established a committee to thoroughly evaluate the structural integrity of the bridge, both above and below the water level. This committee is expected to submit its findings by the end of work the following day.

"And I’ve also set up a committee to go and do empirical evaluation of what is happening below the water level and above the water level under this bridge, and they will report to me before the end of work tomorrow," he added.

The First Niger Bridge, which connects Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation. This intervention became necessary after some of its structural components were vandalized. Umahi had previously affirmed that the bridge would remain closed until the rehabilitation work is fully concluded, prioritizing its safety before it is reopened to public use.