The Federal Government has reopened Lagos’ Independence Bridge following emergency repairs triggered by a structural failure.
The closure earlier this week caused major traffic disruptions, prompting an apology from Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Minister of Works David Umahi ordered the bridge’s immediate reopening and acknowledged the lack of proper notice.
“The mistake that the controller, Olukorede Kesha, made was that she did not notify us. We also didn’t adequately inform Lagosians of the alternative routes,” Umahi said.
He explained the bridge’s approach slab collapsed due to faulty design. “It’s not supposed to be a cantilever. What we had was a free-standing approach slab, which is incorrect. Every approach slab must have at least one end fixed,” he said.
Umahi announced plans for a redesign to ensure long-term stability: “We have decided to redesign the project as a one-span bridge. This will eliminate the lateral head pressure on the abutment and address unknown factors such as piling depth.”
The minister also promised new national guidelines for road closures: “No road or bridge in Nigeria will be closed without a clearly defined process… and published information to the public.”
He added, “This is not just about engineering; it’s about communication, safety, and accountability. We owe it to Nigerians to do better.”
