Motorists in Lagos who were caught in Lagos gridlock due to the closure of the Independence Bridge on Victoria Island have received an apology from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He admitted that inadequate communication about the bridge’s closure contributed to the chaos and assured residents that measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence.

During an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge, Sanwo-Olu explained that work on the structure had already begun, but many residents were unaware due to inconsistent information. He also noted that the return of workers after the Eid-el-Fitr holiday worsened the congestion.

“This was a case of everyone rushing out at the same time after a long weekend to return to their workplaces. This part of the city is the Central Business District,” he stated, emphasizing the need for improved communication.

The governor stressed that traffic management strategies would be strengthened, promising that more officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and security personnel would be deployed to ease congestion. He assured residents that efforts were underway to reduce the impact of the bridge closure.

“You will see twice the number of LASTMA officers on the road, working late into the night to ease the congestion,” Sanwo-Olu said. He also urged motorists to be patient and disciplined, warning against reckless driving and violations of traffic laws.

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To mitigate the pressure on road networks, the governor encouraged businesses and individuals to adopt remote work strategies, similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. He advised those who do not need to be physically present on the Island to use virtual platforms for meetings and operations.

“For those who don’t need to be physically present on the Island in the next two to three weeks, I encourage you to use virtual means such as telephone and Zoom meetings,” he suggested, urging residents to plan ahead for their daily activities.

Despite a directive from the Minister of Works for the immediate reopening of the bridge, Sanwo-Olu maintained that the order might not be feasible due to the ongoing rehabilitation work. He stressed that safety and quality repairs remained the priority.

“With due respect to the honourable minister, we are the ones on the ground, and we understand the work that needs to be done. At the moment, the road is impassable,” he explained, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to long-term infrastructure improvements.

As work progresses on the Independence Bridge, Lagosians have been urged to cooperate with traffic officials, explore alternative routes, and remain patient. The government has assured that updates on the rehabilitation will be consistently provided to prevent further disruptions and simiar gridlock.

NAN