The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge located on Victoria Island, Lagos, following the severe traffic gridlock that has affected the Ikoyi area. The directive was issued on Wednesday after the bridge was closed for maintenance and rehabilitation, leading to major disruptions in the city’s traffic flow.
In a phone conversation on Wednesday night, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, confirmed the government’s decision. “Yes, that is true. The minister has directed me to open it,” she said, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. The controller emphasized that her team was already working on remedial measures to make the bridge safe for vehicular traffic once again.
Parts of the Independence Bridge had sustained significant damage, which initially necessitated its closure for repairs. Despite these challenges, Kesha assured that efforts were underway to address the damage quickly. “We are trying to see how we can do remedial measures so that we can open the bridge for vehicular movement because we have already broken parts of the bridge,” she explained.
However, the exact timeline for reopening the bridge remains uncertain. Kesha noted that while they are working round the clock to restore traffic flow, it is still unclear whether commuters will be able to use the bridge by the following day. “We are still unsure if commuters will be able to use it tomorrow. But we are currently working overnight to do some remedial work,” she added.
The destruction on the bridge had reportedly gone deeper than initially anticipated, which complicated efforts for a swift reopening. Despite these setbacks, Kesha was optimistic that the situation would improve soon. “The destruction had gone a bit far, but all hands are on deck to, hopefully by tomorrow, open the bridge to traffic,” she stated.
The reopening of the Independence Bridge comes after the Federal Government had previously announced plans to shut the bridge for repairs. The closure, initially scheduled to last until the end of May 2025, was part of ongoing efforts to maintain and rehabilitate the vital infrastructure in Lagos.
