By Olaitan Ibrahim
The Nigerian government has issued a strong warning regarding the use of Independence Bridge in Lagos.
Minister of Works Senator Dave Umahi, announced that temporary repairs on the bridge are proving effective with no noticeable settlement issues, but unhappy with the misuse of the bridge by Lagos residents.
Umahi said: “On the Independence Bridge in Lagos, let me assure that the temporary work is turning out to be the permanent work. We have been observing it, and we have not noticed any settlement. In three weeks, if there is no settlement, that is the end of the job.”
The minister noted that inspections under the bridge indicated that four pile caps needed repairs, adding that the contractor had been directed to begin work on them.
Umahi, however, expressed concerns about the misuse of bridges, particularly Eko and Carter bridges, and appealed to Lagos residents for cooperation in safeguarding the infrastructure.
“We made an announcement that the waterway between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge should be closed. We need to know that, in nation-building, it is not just the government. The people are involved.”
He expressed dismay at the presence of trailers and buses loading on Carter Bridge as well as the use of Independence Bridge as a fish market, with vehicles parking on it to buy fish.
“Why should we have trailers, buses loading on Carter Bridge?
“At Independence Bridge, we saw people that are taking fish from the sea and are selling them. Motorists come there, park and buy fish. That is not good,” Umahi lamented.
He emphasised that bridges were designed for dynamic loads, not static loads, and urged Lagos residents to desist from hawking and parking vehicles on bridges.
“I want Lagosians to help us. Our bridges are not designed for static loads; they are designed for dynamic loads. Let us not allow hawking on our bridges. Let us not allow vehicles to park on our bridges. This is very important,” he said.
Umahi warned that if misuse of bridges would continue, leading to a recurrence of the problems seen at Independence Bridge, the government would be forced to close the bridges.
He added that the bridges had aged and required careful management and maintenance.