The Federal Government Reverses Decision to Shut Down Eko Bridge has backtracked on its earlier decision to close the Eko Bridge in Lagos, with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announcing a suspension of the planned shutdown following a fresh technical assessment.
Umahi, who visited the bridge for an on-site inspection, revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally intervened in the matter, expressing concern over the economic and social burden a full closure would place on Lagosians.
“The President asked me to come back and take a second look at that decision so that we don’t impose too much hardship on Nigerians,” Umahi said.
Following a structural re-evaluation conducted by his team, the Minister stated that safety conditions currently permit continued use of the bridge, though authorities will maintain close surveillance on a crack that had triggered the original closure order.
“We have confirmed that, for now, we are safe. However, we will not allow a situation where any Nigerian on this bridge faces danger,” he added, noting that the crack shows no sign of spreading — either gradually or rapidly — at this time.
Umahi outlined a three-pronged response plan. In the immediate term, the bridge will remain open while engineers monitor the crack’s behaviour. In the medium term, construction firm Buildwell will carry out remedial works within four months, involving additional piling and a pier cap to reinforce and bypass the compromised section. Long-term plans include lifting the affected slab entirely and demolishing the cracked portion once a full structural redesign is completed.
The Minister expressed confidence in the bridge’s current condition but cautioned that the situation remains fluid. “A crack can occur anytime. I will return here to reassess it,” he said.
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