Sanwo-Olu Speaks Out: Explains Reasons Behind Independence Bridge Closure, Apologizes To Citizens

Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that while the closure of the bridge was regrettable, it was a necessary step to ensure the safety of its users. During a visit to the bridge on Thursday morning, he urged Lagosians to support the government’s efforts to restore the bridge’s safety for commuters.

He explained that if the ongoing repairs were not initiated, road users would be at risk due to the bridge’s aging infrastructure. He described the bridge as one of the oldest in the country, possibly nearing 80 to 90 years in age, and highlighted the critical state of its structure.

The Governor stated, “I want to first apologize to all our citizens and Lagosians for the challenges experienced in the last 24 hours. This apology is important as we take full responsibility at both the national and state levels. This action was taken with good intentions to prevent a potential disaster in the future.”

He continued, “The builder was contracted over three years ago to preserve the integrity of the Independence Bridge. The Victoria Island end of the bridge has been under severe threat, with parts of the bridge sitting on nothing due to erosion. If this issue isn’t addressed, we face the risk of a collapse, which could cause serious harm. We’ve been discussing the best time to carry out these repairs to prevent any disaster.”

Sanwo-Olu emphasized that while the timing of the repairs was not ideal, the work is essential to ensure the long-term safety of the bridge.