Independence Bridge Repair: Sanwo-Olu Apologizes for Traffic Chaos

Kehinde Adeleye

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a public apology for the severe traffic congestion experienced by Lagosians on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

The chaos was caused by repair works on the Independence Bridge, which were initiated to prevent a potential disaster.

During an inspection visit to the bridge, Sanwo-Olu outlined measures to address the situation and alleviate congestion.

These measures include cleaning up alternative routes, deploying additional traffic officers and security operatives, and expediting the repair process.

The governor emphasized that these steps would ensure public safety and improve traffic flow, similar to the successful measures implemented during the December period.

The governor appealed to Lagosians to keep obeying traffic rules, just as he advised office to imbibe the work-from-home structure during the period the bridge undergoes repair.

Lagos was under lockdown by traffic Wednesday due to the shock closure of the bridge.

Victoria Island and Ikoyi were the worst hit by the Independence Bridge closure, with most streets witnessing heavy traffic from Wednesday evening till the early hours of Thursday.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, later directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos to vehicular traffic.

This directive follows the earlier closure of the bridge for planned maintenance and rehabilitation works, which caused slow and chaotic traffic around Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi on Wednesday.

The ministry expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the motoring public by the closure and appealed for their understanding and cooperation.

The Federal Ministry of Works clarified that the necessary repair works on the bridge would be carried out at a later time.