By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Lagos residents have expressed support for the Federal Government’s plan to demolish and rebuild three major spans of the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, which has suffered structural damage from a fire caused by illegal occupants and repeated collisions from trucks.
Reacting to the news across various social media platforms, some of the residents said the repair was long overdue, as it posed a danger to residents and road users.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, while briefing newsmen at the bridge site in Lagos on Wednesday, November 5, said the repair was part of the Federal Government’s plan to address structural defects and restore the bridge to a safe and durable state.
Kesha disclosed that the repair would last about three months, during which time heavy and articulated vehicles would be restricted from the bridge.
She said the vehicular restriction would begin next weekend to allow for the installation of height barriers and the commencement of the repair work.
According to her, the demolition of the bridge deck proper would start on November 22, adding that diversions would start from Apapa-bound to Carter Bridge-bound and would be counterflow.
In response to the news, some residents of the state stated that the bridge posed a risk and commended the Federal Government for the planned repair. They also called for proper maintenance of public infrastructures to avoid dilapidation.
In his comment on Facebook, Olufemi Longe said: “It is long overdue. My heart skips at the sight of the dilapidated portion of the bridge each time I pass that route.”
Solaremcom Aremu wrote: “I passed through this place last Wednesday; in fact, I was so scared. Honestly speaking, that bridge needs immediate attention before it collapses.”
In addition, Chigozie Emmanuel Uche said: “I hope the reconstruction will include the height of the bridge? It’s too low for the heavy duty vehicles plying the road.”
Terngu John noted: “Building is not always our issue; the problem is always how to maintain them. While a lot of resources are allotted for maintenance, nobody cares if it’s done or not.”
However, some others pointed out that the closure of the bridge for repairs for over three months would heighten vehicular traffic on roads around the bridge.
Folayan Bamidele Jnr Donald commented: “Another traffic loading.”
Recall that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during an inspection of the bridge in July, said the Federal Government had negotiated the cost of the Iddo Bridge rehabilitation from an initial N27 billion to N17 billion.
He said that three spans of the bridge were severely damaged by fire, which he attributed to the activities of illegal occupants who had built makeshift homes under the bridge, adding that the bridge had suffered significant structural damage due to continuous hits from trucks.
“They brought in chemicals, built block walls and set up homes. Then, they set fire that burnt the bridge and damaged three spans. Now we are going to fix the bridge completely,” Umahi said.
The minister said the headroom of the Iddo Bridge, which is currently about 4.5 metres, would be increased to at least 5.6 metres.
