The federal government has issued an order for the immediate closure of the Ijora-Olopa bridge in Lagos following the failure of a section of the structure.
The collapse of a section of the bridge has been attributed to the actions of miscreants who tampered with its critical reinforcement elements, resulting in the compromised integrity of the structure.
Hakeem Bello, the spokesperson for Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, conveyed the government’s stance in a statement released earlier today.
Bello emphasized that the federal government is collaborating closely with the state government to ensure the seamless movement of motorists through alternative routes while urgent repairs are being carried out on the affected bridge.
As part of the containment measures, Bello confirmed the closure of adjacent roads leading directly to the Ijora-Olopa Bridge, including the Costain route towards the Eko Bridge and the Carter Bridge descent towards Ijora Oloye. These closures are intended to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of commuters.
To facilitate the smooth flow of traffic, “The federal controller of works in Lagos has also issued the following traffic advisory to ensure that motorists and other members of the commuting public are able to use alternative routes,” the statement reads.
“From Eko bridge motorists should take Iganmu/ Sifax to Ijora Oloye or Apapa. “From Iddo to Ijora-Oloye/ Apapa, traffic will be diverted at the intersection underpass at Ijora Olopa on contraflow, and reconnected at the U-turn to Ijora-Oloye or Apapa.
The statement also highlighted that the Minister of Works and Housing, in previous instances, had called upon illegal occupants of Lagos under-bridges to vacate their unauthorized dwellings. This appeal was made due to the recurring incidents of fire outbreaks and other unlawful activities underneath such bridges, which have often caused substantial damage to these vital infrastructures built using the nation’s limited resources.
The closure of the Ijora-Olopa bridge is a necessary step to ensure the safety of motorists and prevent any potential accidents or further deterioration of the structure.
The federal and state governments are committed to addressing the issue promptly and minimizing inconvenience to commuters by providing alternative routes and carrying out swift repairs to restore the bridge to full functionality.
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