The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, reopened the bridge on Thursday alongside federal and state representatives, together with conventional rulers from Anambra and Delta states.
The bridge, inbuilt 1965, was initially closed to visitors from September 7 to 21 to permit for emergency rehabilitation and upkeep works following the invention of vandalised structural parts, together with its expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, which was initially scheduled to finish on September 21, was prolonged indefinitely as a consequence of persistent rainfall and different unexpected circumstances that delayed the work.
Performing the opening ceremony on the Onitsha finish of the bridge, Umahi stated President Bola Tinubu had labored laborious for the South-East and urged the folks to reward his efforts by voting for his re-election on January 16, 2027.
Umahi stated the required infrastructure had been fastened to make sure the free circulation of visitors, including that the rehabilitation works have been aimed toward easing congestion and making certain the protection of street customers.
He stated, “We have each motive to thank the governors of Anambra and Delta states.
“We should commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very extremely; they’ve labored very properly. We usually are not 100 per cent achieved as a result of we’re going to do [more work]. The proof of what we’re doing in the present day is a complete testimony that President Bola Tinubu is certainly a detribalised Nigerian.
“What different areas are getting, the folks of the South-South and South-East are getting it. And so, why ought to we not respect the President? If the President, God forbid, weren’t the President in 2027, do you assume that any of those folks marauding would have the capability, the audacity, the braveness, the knowledge, the pedigree to do that?
“For what number of years, we had Enugu-Onitsha Road, no person might cross it. Why was there no governor that intervened?
“We don’t have any remorse supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I’ve no remorse supporting Mr President.
“I’m very, very proud for him to be my boss. He is probably the most certified and eminently certified to steer this nation.
“And so, by the power of Mr President and in our deep appreciation of what he has done for the people of the South-South and South-East on this bridge, it is my humble pleasure, with gratitude to God Almighty, to open this bridge for the benefit of our people, in Jesus’ name.”
