By Chukwuma Umeorah
Minister of Works David Umahi has called on the Lagos State Government and authorities to close the waterway between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge due to serious safety risks. He found severe structural damage from dredging during a Saturday inspection of major bridges in Lagos.
Umahi highlighted damage to key bridge parts, like piers and pile caps, which ensure stability. “A dredger had struck and severely damaged one of the piers supporting the Eko Bridge,” he said.
“A whole pier was totally removed. What is holding that particular section is only the reinforcement rods, some of which have also been damaged.” He called it an emergency.
Though he considered closing the bridge, Umahi opted for a repair plan instead. However, he stressed the danger from a sunken dredger in the waterway.
“The dredger that caused this damage tumbled and got sunk. Part of it is still visible above water, and this can be dangerous for boats or ships that ply that route,” he warned. “What is safe is for that section of the waterway to be closed down.”
He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Navy to act. “I’m announcing that the waterways between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge should be closed to boat and ship traffic to save lives,” Umahi said. He clarified, “Don’t go and say that I announced Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge closed.”
Umahi raised wider issues about Lagos bridges. He was shocked to see dredging near the Third Mainland Bridge, despite a Federal Executive Council ban four months ago on dredging within 10 kilometres of Nigerian bridges. “So I was very shocked to see that dredging is still taking place,” he said.
“All the piles in Lagos State were executed through skin friction, which means that it is the sand that is holding the piles and holding the bridge. If we continue to excavate this sand, it is dangerous.”
He also asked the public to help. “Please help us to announce that there should be no trading on the bridges. Announce that there is no parking and loading of passengers on the bridges,” Umahi pleaded. He explained bridges handle moving loads, not static ones, and stressed his duty to protect Nigeria’s infrastructure and people.
Meanwhile, Buildwell Project Coordinator Ghassan Kaadi shared repair updates. He said 75% of Eko Bridge work is done, with 700 metres of expansion joints installed out of 1,000, and 2,500 metres of concrete handrails completed out of 6,000. Solar lighting is nearly finished too.