By Deborah Nnamdi
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has publicly apologized for the severe traffic congestion caused by the ongoing repair work on the Independence Bridge near Bonny Camp, which has now been halted.
Jubril Gawat, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, provided updates on X, stating that Sanwo-Olu visited the site at 9:59 a.m., accompanied by key government officials, to assess the situation.
Gawat quoted the governor, who explained that the repair project, carried out by Messrs Buildwell Construction, had been planned over three years to prevent potential structural failure.
Acknowledging the disruptions, Sanwo-Olu assured residents that immediate steps would be taken to ease traffic congestion. He announced plans to better manage alternative routes, with increased deployment of traffic officers and security personnel, similar to the measures taken during the festive season.
The governor also urged Lagosians to comply with traffic regulations and recommended that businesses with remote work options allow employees to work from home during the repair period.
In a related development, the Federal Government reversed its earlier decision to fully close the bridge to vehicular traffic. The announcement came on Wednesday from Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, through a statement issued by Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha.
The Independence Bridge had been closed on April 1 for critical repairs, with a full closure scheduled for May. However, due to public outcry over the resulting gridlock, authorities have decided to pursue an alternative approach to rehabilitation.
