By John Ogunsemore
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has ordered the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The minister’s directive comes following traffic gridlock that ground Ikoyi area of the state to a halt on Wednesday.
On Monday, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha ordered the closure of the bridge for rehabilitation works.
She disclosed that the bridge would be closed until the end of May for the repairs.
According to her, the closure would affect traffic from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan by Zone 2.
However, the closure caused massive traffic gridlock, with many motorists and other commuters stuck for hours.
But in a Wednesday evening statement, Kesha disclosed that the bridge has been ordered reopened by the minister.
The minister said the necessary repair works would be carried out later, noting that palliative works were underway to ensure that the bridge would be motorable.
The minister expressed regret for inconveniences caused to the motoring public by the closure and appealed for understanding and cooperation.