Federal Government Puts On Hold Planned Shutdown of Eko Bridge

The Federal Government has announced that it will not be closing the Eko Bridge in Lagos State, a decision that was initially planned and announced approximately two weeks ago.

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This revelation was made by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during an inspection of the bridge, where he acknowledged that the initial directive to close the bridge had been given.

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Umahi attributed the change in plans to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who expressed concern about the potential hardship that the closure could impose on Nigerians, prompting a reevaluation of the decision.

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Following a technical evaluation of the bridge's strength on Monday, the Minister confirmed that the closure could be suspended for the time being, with safety being the top priority.

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According to Umahi, a three-step procedure has been agreed upon, with the first step being to monitor the progression of the crack on the bridge without closing it immediately.

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The Minister noted that the crack is currently not progressing, either arithmetically or geometrically, allowing for a sense of comfort, but also acknowledging that a new crack could occur at any time, prompting a commitment to reassess the situation.

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Remedial work is also planned for the bridge, with a four-month timeline set for the project to be completed by Buildwell, involving additional piling, a pie cap, and bypassing the cracked section.

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The ultimate goal of the remedial work is to enable the full reopening of the bridge, after which the entire slab in the affected section will be lifted and the damaged portion demolished.

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Umahi expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his efforts to advance the interests of Nigeria, praising his commitment to the nation's well-being and calling for prayers and support for his endeavors.