- Safiu Kehinde
With thousands of motorists stranded across the Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island Wednesday evening, the Federal Government has ordered the reopening of the Independence/Marina Inward Bridge which was shut for repairs.
The closure of the route which started on Wednesday coincided with the first day of work after the 2 days of public holidays.
Coupled with the heavy downpour thousands closed from offices on Wednesday only to spend as many as 8 hours on the road.
In reaction, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge to ease commuters.
The Ministry. in a statement issued by the Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Engr. O.I Kesha, apologized for the inconvenience caused by the closure of the road.
Kesha noted that necessary repair works on the bridge would be carried out at a later time.
“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.” The statement read.
The closure of the bridge had seen areas of the Island such as Akin Adesola, Awolowo Road, Alfred Rewane Road, Ozumba Mbadiwe and many others jammed with vehicles.
In the process, many vehicles broke down with high temperatures while some ran out of fuel.
The situation caused a chaotic scene which overwhelmed traffic management officers.
Some commuters, including popular Nollywood veteran, Kate Henshaw, had yesterday vented their frustration on X with Henshaw urging Island residents to stay at home.
“Falomo Bridge, leading to Akin Adesola, Ozumba, and Ikoyi… If you have no emergency, stay at home. Simple.” She wrote in a post on her X handle.
“Spent 3hrs in a 15 mins journey” @Dosunmu wrote.