FG COMPLETES REPAIRS OF INDEPENDENCE BRIDGE IN LAGOS .... Introduces Policy On Stakeholders Engagement/Feedback Mechanism On Road Closures Nationwide

The failed section of Independence bridge, Lagos that precipitated traffic gridlock penultimate week in the commercial city of Lagos, resulting in its closure for the necessary repairs on 2nd April 2025, has been repaired and reopened to lagosians.

The gridlock which attracted attention of the Federal government, necessitated the visit of the Honourable Minister of Works on 3rd April 2025 less than 24 hours of the incident.

Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi while announcing the reopening of the bridge, said the reopening was attributed to God's grace and enablement that informed the timeous success recorded in fixing the bridge.

Umahi, while speaking with journalists, noted that the reason for the closure of the bridge was not for pleasure but for a technical failure of the approach slab, which affected the strength and utility of the  bridge. He, however, expressed displeasure that the right procedure for the closure was not followed, and that was the reason why the public was taken unawares. 

The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji said the reason for the closure was not for pleasure. "We have agreed to redesign the project. It's going to be redesigned as one span in a bridge."

Umahi expressed his appreciation to Mr. President for his purposefulness in leadership that inspires passion, responsiveness, and proactiveness in  handling matters that affect Nigerians. He also thanked the Governor of Lagos State, the engineers of the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos, the contractor handling the bridge repair (Buildwell Nig Ltd), and Hitech Nigeria Ltd for their cooperation and support and assistance that saw to the successful reopening of the bridge. 

He thanked Lagosians, the press and other well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders who showed concern over the plight of Nigerians affected by the closure of the bridge. He used the opportunity to absolve the contractor handling the bridge repair (Buildwell Nig Ltd) of any blame in this circumstance. 

The Honourable Minister used the opportunity to roll out a new policy direction on measures to follow before a federal road is closed nationwide, whereby, a feedback mechanism through stakeholders' engagement would be a condition precedent that must take place before approval for closure of federal bridges/roads of essential utility such as those in Lagos State. 

He pointed out that, subsequently, before any of such closures in future, information must be provided as to "what is to be done on that place, and then will state the technical problems and the technical solution. He will be able to put up all these exposures to the public to enable users of such infrastructure know long it is going to last.