Independence bridge reopens: Minister of Works announces new policy for road closures

Stanley Ihedigbo

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has successfully repaired and reopened the failed section of the Independence Bridge in Lagos.

The bridge was closed on April 2, 2025, for repairs due to a technical failure of the approach slab, which affected its strength and utility.

In his speech marking the bridge’s reopening, Minister Umahi attributed the timely success to God’s grace and enablement.

He expressed displeasure that the right procedure for closure wasn’t followed, catching the public off guard. Umahi thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership, the Governor of Lagos State, engineers, contractors, and stakeholders for their support.

The Minister announced a new policy requiring stakeholder engagement and feedback mechanisms before federal roads are closed nationwide.

The aim is to prevent similar incidents and ensure the public is informed about road closures.

The Independence Bridge was initially expected to remain closed until May, but Minister Umahi ordered its reopening after public outcry.

The bridge was reopened after completing about 50% of the planned repairs, with further inspections scheduled in two weeks.