Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated that the Independence Bridge will remain closed for repairs, despite the heavy traffic gridlock caused by the ongoing closure. In a statement made during an on-site inspection of the bridge on Thursday, the governor emphasized that the safety of the public is the primary concern and that reopening the bridge prematurely could result in catastrophic consequences for commuters.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that the traffic congestion experienced on Wednesday was largely due to poor communication by the relevant authorities. He admitted that the public had not been properly informed about the closure, which significantly contributed to the frustration and gridlock commuters faced. “Poor communication caused the gridlock. I take full responsibility. People were not adequately informed. Communication is key; it helps people plan alternative routes and make better decisions,” he said.
The governor assured Lagos residents that efforts are being made to address communication issues and improve the flow of information to avoid similar situations in the future. He encouraged Lagosians to consider altering their commuting habits during the ongoing repairs. “If you don’t have urgent business on Victoria Island in the next two to three weeks, consider working from home, using telephone or Zoom meetings, and planning ahead,” Sanwo-Olu advised.
He also revealed that additional officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be deployed to help manage the traffic and to work late into the night to ease congestion during peak hours.
In response to the recent directive from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who had called for the reopening of the bridge, Sanwo-Olu disagreed with the suggestion. He stressed the importance of completing the repairs to ensure the safety of the public, adding, “With all due respect to the Minister, Senator Umahi, we are the ones on the ground. This bridge has had structural issues for over three years. If we attempt to reopen it now, without completing the repairs, it could collapse, leading to a major disaster.”
The governor further explained that extensive excavation work had already been conducted on the bridge, making it impossible to safely reopen it without completing the repairs. “A bridge is not a place where you can just pour sand and expect vehicles to pass over it. If it caves in and cars plunge into the water, the same government will be blamed,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagosians that although the closure was causing inconvenience, the government was committed to ensuring the long-term safety and integrity of the bridge. He urged the public to remain patient, emphasizing that the ongoing repairs were vital to preventing a potentially disastrous incident. “There is never a perfect time to fix a problem like this. Any time we do it, there will be discomfort. But let’s work together to get through it and come out stronger,” the governor concluded.