The Federal Minister of Works, David Umahi, has raised alarm over the growing threat posed by stationary vehicles, particularly trailers and passenger buses, to the structural stability of key bridges in Lagos.
He highlighted that these vehicles, along with informal roadside markets, impose static loads on bridges that were not designed to support such weight.
During a stakeholders’ meeting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Umahi revealed that recent inspections had uncovered concerning misuse of the city’s bridges. “Carter Bridge has become a loading bay for commercial vehicles, and Independence Bridge is being used as a fish market,” he said. “Motorists stop, park, and buy fish. This is not good.”
Umahi emphasized that the bridges were designed for dynamic loads, not the static ones created by parked vehicles. “Let us not allow hawking on our bridges. Let us not allow vehicles to park on our bridges. This is very important,” he urged Lagosians.
The minister also warned that if this misuse continued, the government might be forced to close the affected bridges to prevent further damage or potential collapse. “Many of our bridges are aging, and they require careful management,” he added.
In light of the situation, Umahi confirmed that emergency repairs had been completed on the Independence Bridge after a structural failure, with permanent repairs expected within three weeks.
Additionally, he announced the use of robotic technology for underwater inspections of bridge foundations across the country, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving critical infrastructure.
Lagosians were urged to support the federal government’s efforts to protect the city’s bridges, with Umahi warning of serious consequences for public safety if action was not taken.