The House of Representatives has called for an urgent audit of the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a series of fatal accidents, including the most recent incident involving a gas truck.
On March 19, 2025, lawmakers mandated the Federal Ministry of Works to conduct a comprehensive technical review of the bridge’s gradient, descent, and structural integrity.
The House is concerned about the bridge’s steep incline, which has led to numerous deadly crashes, notably a gas tanker explosion on March 11 that caused significant damage and loss of life.
“This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents on Otedola Bridge,” said Mr. Sesi Whingan, the motion sponsor and member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State. “We need to address engineering flaws, mechanical failures, and human errors contributing to these accidents.”
The audit, expected to be completed within 30 days, will focus on reducing the bridge’s gradient, adding reinforced safety barriers, and creating emergency escape lanes.
Immediate repairs to damaged sections will also be carried out within 90 days. Furthermore, the House has called for the establishment of permanent weighbridges along the expressway to ensure trucks comply with safety standards.
Lawmakers are also pushing for nationwide enforcement of bi-annual vehicle inspections for fuel tankers, aiming to eliminate unsafe vehicles from the roads. “We must act now to prevent further tragedies,” Whingan emphasized.