Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos after days of repair, which resulted in gridlock in the state.
The sudden reversal came after widespread criticism and a public outcry over the gridlock caused by the closure.
The closure, which was announced on Monday by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, resulted in hours-long gridlocks, leaving commuters and motorists stranded in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
However, Umahi, who addressed journalists in Lagos on Friday, said the contractors worked overnight to ensure that the bridge was ready for use.
He attributed the swift completion of the repair work to divine intervention.
“When we open the bridge, by the special grace of God, I will be the first to attest to the integrity of the bridge. I will be the first to pass.
“We need to be very grateful and thankful to God Almighty for His mercies. We worked all through the night to restore this. If you asked me how it happened, I would say it is by God’s Grace and wisdom,” Umahi said.
He assured users of the bridge that its integrity was intact.
Meanwhile, The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had earlier apologised to residents for the gridlock experienced due to the rehabilitation of the bridge.
Sanwo-Olu advised residents to conduct their businesses via online platforms in the next two or three weeks to avoid the traffic congestion.
He noted that the repair was necessary for the city, as the bridge, which is one of the oldest in the country, had begun to fail.
