Despite the Federal Government’s order for the immediate reopening of the Independence/Mekwen Bridge, Lagos Island continued to experience severe gridlock on Thursday. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had announced the reopening on Wednesday after numerous complaints about traffic congestion linked to the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridge.
However, as of Thursday morning, the bridge remained closed, and traffic chaos ensued, with motorists stranded for hours. Some commuters turned to ferry transport to avoid the gridlock.
Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, confirmed that repairs are still underway, particularly on a section of the bridge that requires urgent attention before it can be safely reopened. She reiterated that the bridge closure, which started on April 1, 2025, will remain in effect until the end of May.
Kesha advised motorists traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku toward Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan to use alternative routes to minimize congestion. She apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing the importance of the repairs for the bridge’s safety and stability.
By Thursday morning, traffic had already built up from Lekki and Victoria Island toward the Mainland. The surge in ferry use created additional congestion at the Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu, though ferry operations were briefly interrupted by a fire on a LAGFERRY boat. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred, though nine passengers were injured.
The Lagos State Government has urged motorists to avoid the Independence Bridge area unless necessary, providing alternative routes for those heading to Victoria Island, Third Mainland Bridge, and CMS.
Motorists caught in the gridlock expressed frustration, citing long delays and a lack of visible traffic enforcement. Many shared stories of spending hours in traffic, with some even forced to sleep on the road or in their offices.
Source: Swifteradio.com
