In a dramatic turn of events, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has given the green light for the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos after a devastating traffic gridlock took over the Ikoyi area.
The unprecedented traffic chaos had left commuters stuck for hours, creating a major disruption in the already busy city of Lagos. Responding to the escalating situation, Umahi issued a direct order for the bridge to be reopened on Wednesday, sending a sigh of relief to many Lagos residents.
Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, confirmed the news late Wednesday evening. In an exclusive phone conversation with our reporter, Kesha revealed that her team had already begun work to make urgent repairs to the bridge in order to restore it to functional condition. However, she acknowledged that certain sections of the bridge had suffered significant damage, making it uncertain whether the bridge could be fully operational by Thursday.
“We are making every effort to implement temporary fixes so that traffic can flow again,” Kesha stated. “The damage is considerable, but we are working tirelessly overnight to ensure that the bridge can be reopened as soon as possible. We’re unsure if it will be open tomorrow, but we’re doing everything we can to get it ready.”
The Independence Bridge, which had previously been slated for maintenance and repairs until May 2025, had to be closed earlier this week to address crucial issues. However, due to the severe traffic gridlock, the government has now accelerated its efforts to address the problem, keeping commuters’ convenience in mind.
This move has come as a relief to thousands of Lagos residents who rely on the bridge for their daily commute. As repair works continue, authorities are hopeful that the bridge will be back in service soon, easing traffic congestion in one of the most densely populated areas of the city.
With all hands on deck, Lagosians are now waiting in anticipation for the bridge to be reopened and bring some much-needed relief to the bustling metropolis.
