The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed that pictures of President Bola Tinubu be displayed on the First Niger Bridge after the completion of ongoing rehabilitation works.

Umahi gave the directive on Wednesday during an inspection of the rehabilitation of the bridge, which links Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State.

The minister also urged voters in the South-East to consider the infrastructure projects executed by the Tinubu administration in the region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to Umahi, all illegal advertisements currently displayed on the bridge should be removed after the rehabilitation, with the space replaced by pictures of President Tinubu.

“Once we are done with work on this bridge, I want all the illegal adverts on this bridge removed. Anyone who wants to advertise should apply to the Ministry of Works. For now, the bridge will be decorated with the pictures of President Tinubu.

“The President has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures,” Umahi said.

The minister also appealed to voters in the South-East not to “throw away” their votes in the 2027 presidential election.

First Niger Bridge rehabilitation

The First Niger Bridge was temporarily closed in September to allow emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works following the deterioration of some components and reported vandalism.

The vandalised components included parts of the expansion-joint steelwork as well as nuts and bolts from the bridge structure.

The Federal Government has also directed the installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights around the bridge as part of measures to prevent further vandalism.

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The closure has affected movement between Anambra and Delta states, with motorists advised to use alternative routes, including the Second Niger Bridge.

Umahi had earlier said the First Niger Bridge would remain closed until the major rehabilitation works were completed.