In response to the severe traffic congestion that crippled the Ikoyi axis of Lagos, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has ordered the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge on Victoria Island.
The directive was issued on Wednesday after commuters were left stranded due to the closure of the critical bridge, which has been undergoing maintenance.
Confirming the development, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, stated in a telephone conversation that her team is working round the clock to implement remedial measures to restore vehicular movement on the bridge. However, she noted that sections of the structure had already been damaged during the ongoing rehabilitation process.
“Yes, that is true. The minister has directed me to open it. But as it stands, we are trying to put in place remedial measures so that the bridge can accommodate vehicular movement again. Unfortunately, some parts have already been broken due to the ongoing work,” Kesha stated.
She further explained that while efforts are being intensified to ensure the bridge is reopened as soon as possible, it remains uncertain whether it will be accessible to commuters by Thursday. However, she assured that her team would work overnight to expedite the process.
“We are unsure if commuters will be able to use the bridge tomorrow. But at the moment, we are working overnight to carry out remedial work. The damage is quite significant, but all hands are on deck to hopefully make it accessible for traffic soon,” she added.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had earlier announced the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina-bound) in Lagos State for major rehabilitation and maintenance works. The bridge was initially scheduled to remain closed until the end of May 2025.
