Lagos State Government Swiftly Undertakes Repairs
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Lagos State Government has announced the temporary closure of the Alapere Pedestrian Bridge following damage caused by an articulated vehicle. Immediate remedial works are underway on sections of the bridge that require urgent attention.
In a statement issued by Mr. Shina Odunuga, Spokesman for the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the decision for the swift intervention was triggered by a viral video that highlighted cracks on various parts of the bridge. Odunuga emphasized that the bridge had served the public effectively and safely for over 15 years until this unfortunate incident.
To assess the extent of the damage, a joint inspection was carried out by a team of officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, along with the Public Works Corporation. The team, led by Mr. Olufemi Daramola, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Infrastructure, concluded that the bridge needed to be temporarily closed in the interest of public safety.
The damage to the bridge was caused when an articulated low-bed truck attempted to traverse the structure while carrying heavy-duty equipment that exceeded the standard design headroom of 5.4 meters. This incident echoes similar occurrences at Alakija-Trade Fair and Apapa/Oshodi within the past year.
Mr. Odunuga expressed concern over the negative impact of recklessness by road transporters on public infrastructure, leading to multiple instances of damage. He mentioned that this event marked the third bridge damaged in a short span of time, posing challenges to infrastructural growth given the state government’s limited resources.
The ongoing repairs, which were promptly initiated, are aimed at facilitating the swift reopening of the bridge. Mr. Odunuga assured the public that updates on the status of the bridge would be communicated promptly, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and civic engagement.
In its commitment to road safety, the Lagos State Government plans to explore various safety measures, including the installation of advanced sensor technology, to mitigate potential risks and enhance road safety.
Commuters and the general public have been urged to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and guidelines to ensure safety on the roads.