The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has apologized to Lagos residents and President Bola Tinubu for the disruption caused by the sudden closure of the Independence Bridge. Umahi made the apology during a tour of the bridge in Lagos, stating that the closure was for urgent rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall but was made without his knowledge or authorization.
Umahi warned that controllers of works and engineers would face disciplinary action if such an incident were to happen again. “I use the opportunity to warn all controllers and engineers all over the country. Never close a road or bridge without running through the permanent secretary, who will seek permission from the honourable minister of works,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State Government in managing traffic flow during the closure and took responsibility for the error. “I take responsibility for it, even though I did not order it, but every action by any staff of the ministry of works, I take responsibility for it,” Umahi said.
Umahi stated that the closure, which caused significant traffic congestion, was avoidable. “If we were to do this properly, there would have been a different kind of method deployed, and it wouldn’t have necessitated the total closure,” he said. The minister promised that the bridge would be restored temporarily within three days and permanently after a two-week assessment.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also apologized to Lagosians for the gridlock caused by the bridge closure. Sanwo-Olu blamed the gridlock on poor communication by relevant authorities and assured that adequate measures were being put in place to ease traffic congestion.
The Federal Ministry of Works had earlier ordered the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge, but Sanwo-Olu insisted that the bridge would remain closed for repairs due to security concerns.