The Federal Government has suspended its earlier plan to shut down the Eko Bridge in Lagos State following fresh safety assessments and a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Tuesday during an on-site inspection of the bridge, noting that the decision was revised to prevent unnecessary hardship for road users.
He explained that the initial directive to close the bridge was issued about two weeks earlier due to concerns over structural integrity.
“We directed that this bridge be closed. That was about two weeks back, but our caring President Bola Tinubu is very much concerned about the closure of this Eko Bridge.
“He has asked me to come back here and take a second look at that decision so that we don’t induce much hardship on Nigerians,” Umahi said.
Following the presidential instruction, the ministry carried out a fresh technical evaluation on Monday to reassess the condition of the bridge.
According to the minister, the outcome of the inspection showed that an immediate closure was no longer necessary.
“We have done our technical evaluation in line with the president’s directive.
“Putting safety over and above every decision, we have seen that, for now, we are safe, but we won’t get to any situation that any Nigerian on this bridge will not be safe.
“We have agreed on three procedures.”
Umahi stated that the first measure was to keep the bridge open while closely monitoring the crack to determine whether it was worsening.
He added that current observations indicated the defect was not expanding.
“No progression so far. We are comfortable, but crack can occur anytime. I will return here to reassess it.”
The minister further revealed that remedial works would be carried out on the structure within four months by Buildwell, a construction firm handling the project.
He explained that the intervention would involve additional piling and pier cap reinforcement to bypass the affected section of the bridge.
“That can lead us to open the entire bridge and when that is done, we will wait for the entire design whereby the entire slab within that section will be lifted and then we demolish what was cracked.”
Umahi also commended President Tinubu, describing his intervention as driven by concern for citizens’ welfare.
“I can assure you that the president means well, and we owe him prayers and support, and God will take us there.”
