The federal government has started the process of clearing away illegal buildings beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, due to major safety concerns and the risk of the bridge collapsing.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, made this announcement while inspecting the bridge with engineers and representatives from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on Sunday.
He expressed his worries about the bridge’s condition, which he said had been severely damaged by illegal activities taking place underneath it.
Umahi stated that “we are here with bridge experts to check the Iddo Bridge, which has been affected because people have set up shops, warehouses, and even homes in the area below it.”
He highlighted that these activities have caused so much damage that the experts have recommended the bridge be completely taken down and rebuilt.
Additionally, he mentioned that other bridges, like the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge, are facing similar issues due to illegal structures.
“Despite attempts to communicate with the unauthorized occupants, many have resisted leaving, claiming they are dealing with the situation in court.
“They seem to value their businesses more than the safety of Lagos residents, but we cannot allow this,” Umahi remarked.
He instructed Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, to ensure that all illegal structures are removed by the end of the day on Monday.
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“This is about saving lives. We need to act quickly to prevent the bridge from collapsing,” he added.
Umahi pointed out that parts of the bridge have already been damaged by vehicles and even burned, compromising its safety.
He also requested police presence at the demolition site to safeguard any belongings that might be uncovered during the process.
“If we find any items, even something as small as a pin, we should note it down and return it, but so far most of what we’ve seen are iron doors and walls. There aren’t any significant valuables,” he said.
The minister made it clear that there is no turning back on the decision to demolish these illegal structures and thoroughly inspect the bridge.
“We are not trying to punish anyone; we are trying to save lives. All illegal buildings under this bridge must be gone by the end of Monday,” he stressed.
Julius Berger Plc was awarded the contract to rehabilitate the Iddo Bridge back in 2024.
In April, Umahi explained that one major issue with the bridge was its low clearance height, which is only about 3.0 meters instead of the required 5.6 meters.
This has led to trucks frequently hitting the bottom of the bridge, causing more damage.
He also raised concerns about shops near the bridge, selling chemical products, as these activities could present serious safety risks.
Umahi recalled a past incident where a fire from chemicals near the bridge caused extensive damage to the structure.
He emphasized that urgent attention is needed to address the bridge’s compromised safety features.