The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced the reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos State. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Umahi emphasized the bridge’s crucial role in linking Victoria Island to other key areas of the city. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure and apologized to the public.
Umahi stated that permanent repair work on the bridge will begin in three weeks. He noted that the ministry has taken public reactions into account, emphasizing that the lessons learned from this incident will inform future infrastructure planning.
The Federal Government had initially planned to keep the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) closed until the end of May 2025 for essential maintenance. However, following significant traffic congestion experienced on Wednesday night—exacerbated by the absence of traffic control at critical points—Umahi ordered the bridge to reopen.
“We understand the hardship this has caused Lagosians, and we are working to ensure that permanent work begins soon to restore and improve this vital bridge,” the minister stated.
This decision came after numerous complaints flooded social media from commuters stuck in traffic for hours.
