Relief as Independence Bridge reopens, permanent repairs to begin in 3 weeks – Umahi
On Friday, April 4, Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the Independence Bridge in Lagos will reopen for vehicular movement after days of severe traffic gridlock caused by its closure for maintenance.
During an inspection visit, Umahi revealed that permanent rehabilitation work on the bridge will begin in three weeks. In the meantime, palliative repairs have been completed to ensure the bridge is safe for use.
The Independence Bridge, which connects Victoria Island to other parts of Lagos, was shut down earlier this week by the Federal Ministry of Works for urgent repairs. The closure resulted in massive traffic jams, leaving many commuters stranded overnight and causing chaos on nearby roads.
In response to the situation, Umahi ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge, acknowledging the intense hardship faced by residents. He apologized to Lagosians for the inconvenience caused and confirmed that disciplinary actions would be taken against the Federal Controller of Works responsible for the uncoordinated closure.
“There will be punitive measures to serve as a deterrent to other controllers across the country,” Umahi said. He also emphasized the need for clearer protocols when closing roads and bridges in the future.
Umahi had visited the site on Thursday, offering a public apology and assuring that the situation would be resolved within 48 hours. His visit followed a similar inspection by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also apologized and promised quick action.
Umahi personally drove across the reopened bridge to verify its safety, confirming that it is now secure for public use. He reiterated that more extensive rehabilitation work will begin in three weeks.
The reopening brought immediate relief to commuters, with Mr. Wale Michael, one of the affected residents, expressing gratitude. “This will bring quite a lot of relief to us. The closure caught us off guard, and we paid dearly for it. But with this reopening, it’s a welcome development. We thank the government for coming to our rescue,” he said.
The Federal Ministry of Works is expected to provide more details about the upcoming rehabilitation work and future traffic management plans.
