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FG, Lagos Govt Re-opens Eko Bridge After Repair, Warn Street Traders
Eko Hot Blog reports that The Federal Government in collaboration with Lagos State Government, has reopened the Eko Bridge, after 15 months of closure due to rehabilitation work.
It would be recalled that the bridge was severely damaged at Apogbon section during a fire caused by illegal trading under it which led to it’s closure
Announcing the re-opening via his official twitter handle, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appreciates the productive collaboration between the federal government and Lagos State government which led to the successful repair of the bridge.
“Today, I am happy to announce that the hard work and collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State Government has paid off with the opening of the Eko Bridge that was closed 15 months ago in March 2022, after a tragic fire.”
“The bridge was severely damaged at the Apogbon section by a fire caused by illegal trading. The intensity of the inferno weakened major components and the supporting pillars of the bridge, prompting its closure for extensive repair on the entire stretch.”
“This opening brings relief and convenience to the lives of Lagos residents, making our daily commute smoother, easier and safer.”
“We are committed to maintaining and reinforcing the durability of this vital infrastructure.”
The intensity of the inferno was said to have weakened major components and supporting pillars of the bridge, prompting its closure for extensive repair on the entire stretch.
At the drive through ceremony organized for the re-opening of the bridge, The governor conveyed the Federal Government’s apology to Lagos residents for the delay in getting the bridge back to use, stressing that it would be risky to reopen the bridge without proper reconstruction of the damaged section.
“It is with great delight to announce that we have carried out comprehensive tests with the contractor from the Federal Ministry of Works and we believe that Apogbon section of the Eko Bridge can now be opened for motorists. But the maintenance work on the entire bridge has not completed. There are lots of bearings that still need to be reinforced along the entire stretch of the infrastructure.”
“In future, there will be more intermittent closures at different sections of the bridge but the period may not be longer than one or two weeks. This is necessary for us to jerk up the bridge and complete the maintenance work. We are reopening the bridge to bring relief to road users, who have endured hardship due to the repair work,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor said the contractor handling the work would also be reconstructing ancillary roads along the corridor to prevent further misuse of the bridge.
Sanwo-Olu said continuous trading activities under the bridge would no longer be permitted to prevent further damage to the flyover.
The Governor therefore issued a seven-day ultimatum to all traders and illegal squatters to remove their belongings and vacate the space under the Eko Bridge.
The bridge’s reopening brought huge relief for motorists and commuters, who endured months of pain transiting in and out of Lagos Island.
Scores of excited commuters, on Saturday evening, received Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Federal Comptroller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Keisha, at a drive through ceremony for the reopening of the flyover.
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