The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge located on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The minister issued the directive on Wednesday following the massive traffic gridlock that enveloped the Ikoyi area of Lagos.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, confirmed the latest development in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH on Wednesday night.
The controller stated that her team is already working to implement remedial measures to reopen the bridge for vehicular traffic, as parts of the bridge have already been damaged.
She was, however, uncertain if commuters would be able to use the bridge tomorrow (Thursday) but assured that her team is working overnight to ease vehicular movement.
She said, “Yes, that is true. The minister has directed me to open it. But as it is 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.
“We are still unsure if commuters will be able to use it tomorrow. But we are currently working overnight to do some remedial work. We are working on that. The destruction had gone a bit far, but all hands are on deck to, hopefully by tomorrow, open the bridge to traffic.”
Recall that the federal government had announced plans to close the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) in Lagos State for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works. It said the bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025.
