BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 7, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Sunday ordered the immediate closure of the damaged Apapa Bridge for emergency maintenance work to begin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 40-year-old bridge links Nigeria’s premier port to both the Lagos Mainland and Island.
THEWILL reports that the closure is expected to further increase traffic pressure around the area which is usually notorious for frustrating traffic jams.
Addressing a stakeholder’s meeting in Lagos, Fashola said the closure of the bridge was a necessary measure as it would save lives and prevent avoidable mishaps.
“In a situation like this, we need to chose between inconvenience and safety. The first thing to do is to shut down the bridge for the sake of safety and I appeal to residents to bear with us,’’ he said.
Fashola said that Ijora/Marina-bound vehicles would be diverted to other routes to reduce inconveniences.
He expressed dismay at the long years of neglect that resulted to the dilapidation of the bridge.
“We are dealing with several decades of neglect and there are quite a few bridges across the country that are dying for maintenance and we have to take steps to fix them as soon as possible,’’ he said.
Mr Godwin Eke, Federal Controller of works, Lagos, said that the deck of the bridge, which was constructed about 40 years ago, had become weak.
He added that the ministry had written to all security agencies to assist in managing traffic in the area during the maintenance work.
Mr Dayo Mobereola, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, said that alternative access routes from Apapa would be cleared of all encumbrances.
He said that truck owners had agreed to move their vehicles from the alternative access routes as Julius Berger begins the palliative works.
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