Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has revealed that he was not informed about the sudden closure of the Independence Bridge in Lagos, which has caused severe traffic congestion in the city. Umahi made the disclosure during his visit to Lagos to assess the situation.
“I wasn’t aware of the closure. The controller acted without consulting me,” Umahi said, acknowledging the lack of prior communication.
He further pledged to work with the Lagos state government to resolve the ongoing issue but emphasized that the bridge repairs must continue for safety reasons.
The closure, which began on Tuesday, has led to gridlock across Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, with commuters enduring long delays and hardship.
The Federal Government has been criticized for not providing adequate information, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also highlighted as a key factor behind the congestion.
Snator Umahi expressed regret over the situation, saying that the closure should have been better managed.
However, he also affirmed the need to complete the repairs to prevent further damage and potential disasters. “We have to do this properly, even if it causes some discomfort now,” he stated.