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Address Asaba-Agbor Highway, Nigeria Similar Benue River, Lekki‑Ikoyi Link Bridge, Martyrs Bridge, Kainji Dam, Chappal Waddi | ||
The River Niger Bridge in Onitsha (also known as the Onitsha Bridge), Anambra State, Nigeria connects southeastern Nigeria with western Nigeria over the River Niger. It is linked to Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria.
History
Between 1964 and 1965, French construction giant, Dumez, constructed the Niger Bridge, to link Onitsha and Asaba in present-day Anambra and Delta States respectively. It cost £5 million to build. Construction of the bridge was completed in December 1965. During the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 - 1970, in an attempt to halt the Nigerian advance, retreating Biafran soldiers destroyed the River Niger Bridge at Onitsha, trapping the Nigerians on the other side of the river. After the war, the bridge was rehabilitated. The President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration has started works to reinforce the bridge, due to its economic relevance to Nigeria.