₦airaland Forum

JUST IN: Umahi orders opening of Independence bridge after Lagos traffic chaos

By Damilola Aina
2nd April 2025

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, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, confirmed the latest development in a telephone conversation with our correspondent 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 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.

The state government has commenced repair and maintenance of the Independence Bridge in Lagos on April 1, with work due to continue until May 2025. pic.twitter.com/48C6YF3Dfj

— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) April 2, 2025

Federal Ministry of Works, Lagos

PRESS RELEASE ON IMMEDIATE REOPENING OF INDEPENDENCE BRIDGE (AHMADU BELLO WAY-MARINA BOUND).

Date: April 2nd, 2025

The Honorable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos to vehicular traffic.

This directive follows the earlier closure of the bridge for planned maintenance and rehabilitation works.

Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure palliative works are carried out on the already opened bridge to make it motorable .

The Ministry hereby express regret for the inconvenience caused to the motoring public by the closure and appealed for their understanding and cooperation.

The Federal Ministry of Works clarified that the necessary repair works on the bridge would be carried out at a later time.

E-signed
Engr. (Mrs.) O. I. Kesha
Federal Controller of Works, Lagos

Angelfrost:
Instead of us to push hard for the decongestion of this state by fast-tracking development and investments in other states via improvement in security and infrastructure, all of una wan die put for one state...!


I swear down... I started aging backwards and loving life the very day I relocated from that Center of Excellence.

1899Milan:
I slept in the office because of this.
Some colleagues left Adeola Odeku by 5pm, did not get to Akin-Adesola (Sanusi Fafunwa junction) until 10/11PM....a trip of max 5 minutes. Do you know how frustrating that is !!!!

People wey plan this project get hole for brain.

DenreleDave:
But mu-gwu people like u, wen they have been announcing that the bridge will be repaired u were busy on TikTok...

Is it until the. Bridge one day falls and people die then u start blaming govt again?


I suffered the stuff too but u no. Get mouth as it has been announced since last Month

DenreleDave:
Which state u dey now

SalamRushdie:
Tell us one economic Metric APC has improved in the last 10 years? Just one ? You can't

Angelfrost:
Instead of us to push hard for the decongestion of this state by fast-tracking development and investments in other states via improvement in security and infrastructure, all of una wan die put for one state...!


I swear down... I started aging backwards and loving life the very day I relocated from that Center of Excellence.

SalamRushdie:
One of the hallmarks of satanic APC

Ikaeniyan0:
See small boy talk

If you no fit last one minute on top your wife,you go blame the APC

Angelfrost:
Instead of us to push hard for the decongestion of this state by fast-tracking development and investments in other states via improvement in security and infrastructure, all of una wan die put for one state...!


I swear down... I started aging backwards and loving life the very day I relocated from that Center of Excellence.