The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Friday, April 4, reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos, following its temporary closure for maintenance which triggered widespread traffic gridlock and public frustration.
Speaking at the bridge site, Umahi acknowledged the disruption caused and promised that permanent repairs would begin within three weeks.
“We understand the hardship this has caused Lagosians, and we are working to ensure that permanent work begins in three weeks to restore and improve this vital bridge,” the minister stated.
The bridge, which connects Victoria Island to major areas of Lagos, is a key route for daily commuters. Its closure earlier in the week paralysed movement across the city, with road users stranded for hours in what many described as a “nightmare.”
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Public outrage flooded social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), where residents blamed poor coordination and the lack of traffic control officials for the chaos.
Many pointed fingers at both the Federal and Lagos State governments, criticising the absence of LASTMA, FRSC, and other agencies to manage the situation.
Umahi apologised for the poor handling of the closure, adding that the ministry had taken note of the feedback.
He said, “We understand the hardship this has caused Lagosians, and we are working to ensure that permanent work begins in three weeks to restore and improve this vital bridge.”
He stressed that future infrastructure closures would be better managed based on the lessons learned from the Independence Bridge shutdown.