The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed shock over the closure of the Independence Bridge in Lagos, stating that he was not informed about the decision.
During a site visit on Thursday, the former Ebonyi State governor described the move as “very unfortunate,” criticizing the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Keisha, for acting without his approval.
He stressed that such a major decision, particularly in a metropolitan hub like Lagos, should have undergone ministerial review before execution.
“The controller did this unilaterally, and it’s unacceptable,” Umahi said. “For a bridge to be shut down, especially in Lagos, I should have been notified. We needed to evaluate the implications, even in an emergency situation.”
Acknowledging the disruptions caused by the sudden closure, Umahi took responsibility for the incident but assured that disciplinary measures would be taken against Keisha.
“This is a warning to all controllers and engineers across the country. No road or bridge should be closed without proper authorization from the ministry,” he warned.
READ ALSO: Independence Bridge Closure: Sanwo-Olu Apologises for Traffic Disruption
In an effort to mitigate the impact, the minister issued a public apology to Lagos residents and President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the distress caused by the abrupt decision.
“I sincerely apologize to Lagosians and Mr. President for the inconvenience. Even though I did not order the closure, I take full responsibility. If we had followed due process, the approach would have been different. We would have considered a phased closure to minimize disruption,” Umahi stated.
To address the situation, he announced that the bridge would be reopened temporarily within three days, with permanent repairs scheduled in the following weeks.
“By Sunday, the bridge will be fully accessible. We will then monitor the structural settlement before implementing a final fix over a short three-day period,” he assured.
The sudden closure had sparked widespread traffic chaos, underscoring the critical role of proper communication and coordination in managing infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s commercial capital.