Independence Bridge back in operation, Minister cautions against unauthorised closures

By Chukwuma Umeorah

The Federal Government has reopened Independence Bridge in Lagos following its emergency rehabilitation, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, apologising for the hardship caused by its sudden closure.

The minister, who visited the bridge on Friday, confirmed that it is now open to vehicular traffic.

He assured Lagosians that such disruption would be better managed in the future.

Umahi conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s displeasure over the unplanned closure, which resulted in severe gridlock.

“The President saw the hardship occasioned on Nigerians by reason of the sudden closure of this Independence Bridge for emergency rehabilitation,” he said.

He noted that although he was aware of the rehabilitation plans, he did not personally authorize the closure.

“Even though I didn’t give the approval, I’m aware of it. We did the design, and we agreed for the rehabilitation to be done.

“But normally, before a bridge is closed in Lagos, usually I was always contacted, I would come down to Lagos, and then with the Lagos State Government, we would agree on alternative routes. We announce it for more than two weeks to create public awareness.”

He admonished all Federal Controllers of Works nationwide to heed the construction standards and never to close road without approval first sought and obtained from the Honourable Minister of Works.

“I want to use this opportunity to say that no Controller of Works and no engineer in the Ministry of Works should close the road or close any bridge without getting permission through the permanent secretary to me.

“And then approval is given in writing. And, of course, for FERMA, the MD and the Permanent Secretary must go through the Honourable Minister of State.

“And if it’s going to cause a major gridlock, the Honourable Minister of State will let me know.

“So, I will visit the place, and then we use a technical solution and deploy a better method statement,” he said.

Giving insight into the massive construction works going on under the Renewed Hope administration, the Honourable Minister stated that over 260 critical federal road projects are going on nationwide in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of stimulating sustainable economic growth through aggressive road infrastructure development.

He noted that some of the bridges have stayed for donkey years without adequate maintenance and commended President Tinubu for his administration’s timely intervention on the maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridges.

Umahi provided updates on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge.

“On Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge, the underwater works, and the superstructure, Julius Berger is working on them.

“As we talk now, we are understudying what is happening with our pipes inside the water. Within the next two weeks, we’ll come up with the solution to handle it.

“That’s why we presently closed the Third Mainland Bridge against heavy trucks. So that we’ll be able to solve the problem of what is happening inside the water once and for all,” he said.