Umahi Reopens Independence Bridge After Emergency Repairs, Explains Closure

 

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has reopened the Independence Bridge along Victoria Island, Lagos State following weeks of emergency repair works. 

The Minister at the official reopening disclosed that the closure was prompted by a structural failure involving the approach slab of the bridge, which caved in due to a faulty design, stressing that the initial construction of the approach slab was done as a cantilever, which was structurally inappropriate. 

He said, “The slab is not supposed to be a cantilever. What we had was a free-standing approach slab, which is incorrect. Every approach slab must have at least one end fixed,” he explained. 

Umahi added that the slab failed when the sand fill beneath it leaked, compromising its integrity and posing a serious risk to commuters and throwing up an emergency situation, but the proper procedures were not followed in announcing the closure, he admitted. 

“The mistake that the Controller, Olukorede Kesha, made was that she did not notify us. We also didn’t adequately inform Lagosians of the alternative routes,” Umahi said.

Umahi also announced plans to introduce a standardized national procedure for road and bridge closures. “Going forward, no road or bridge in Nigeria will be closed without a clearly defined process. Controllers must submit drone surveys, state the nature of the technical problem and solution, propose alternative routes, and publish this information to the public,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that the bridge is now set for a redesign to ensure long-term stability. “We have decided to redesign the project as a one-span bridge. This will eliminate the lateral head pressure on the abutment and address unknown factors such as piling depth,” he said.

Umahi explained that Lagos bridges, including the Third Mainland, Carter, and Iddo bridges, are held by skin-friction piling, meaning they depend on the surrounding sand for stability. “Any scouring or sand excavation puts the piles at risk,” he said, noting that ongoing studies will guide further reinforcement work.

The minister stated that more permanent work would commence in three weeks, once the integrity of underground pipes is verified. He also outlined a staged construction approach to minimize disruption, including splitting road works into two phases with each phase lasting about 21 days.

Umahi emphasised that future construction schedules would be designed for the convenience of the public, with some projects carried out exclusively on weekends or at night. He added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be involved in traffic monitoring during the repairs.

 “This is not just about engineering; it’s about communication, safety, and accountability. We owe it to Nigerians to do better,” the minister stated.