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LAGOS, Nigeria - The federal government has commenced the evacuation and demolition of illegal structures located beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos due to significant safety issues and the risk of imminent collapse.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, issued the directive while inspecting the bridge with structural engineers and officials from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. on Sunday.
Umahi expressed his worries about the bridge's condition, which he stated has been severely affected by unlawful human activities.
“We are accompanied by bridge experts to assess the Iddo Bridge, which was damaged due to illegal occupation and activities underneath it,” he said.
“Individuals have turned the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas. These actions have led to considerable damage, to the point where Julius Berger has recommended that the bridge should be entirely demolished and rebuilt.”
He mentioned that similar activities had also impacted the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge.
The minister noted that efforts by the federal government to engage with the illegal occupants had faced resistance, as some assert that the issue is currently before the courts.
“They have declined to leave the premises, sending us letters claiming the matter is in court. It seems their commercial interests are more important to them than the safety of Lagosians, but we cannot permit that,” Umahi remarked.
He instructed the federal controller of works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, to ensure the demolition of all illegal structures beneath the bridge is completed before the end of business on Monday.
“This is about preserving lives. We must take action to avert the bridge's collapse. Beams have already been damaged by vehicles, and some have been burnt. The bridge's structural integrity is compromised,” he stated.
He also suggested that police should be deployed to the site to secure any valuable items that may be discovered during the demolition.
“If we find even a pin, it should be documented and returned, but what I have observed thus far are mostly iron doors and partitions. There are no valuable goods inside,” Umahi mentioned.
The minister stressed that the decision to demolish and thoroughly inspect the bridge is final.
“We are not here to penalize anyone; we aim to save lives. Every illegal structure beneath this bridge must be removed by the end of Monday,” he affirmed. The contract for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge was awarded to Julius Berger Plc. in 2024.
In April, Umahi indicated that one of the primary issues with the bridge was insufficient headroom clearance.
He pointed out that a portion of the bridge has a headroom of only about 3.0 meters, well below the necessary minimum of 5.6 meters.
According to the minister, this situation has led to frequent truck collisions with the bridge's underside, causing structural damage.
Umahi also expressed concerns regarding shops near the bridge selling chemicals, indicating that such practices present serious safety hazards.
He recalled an instance when a chemical caught fire near the bridge, resulting in extensive damage to the structure.
He underscored that the bridge's structural elements have been critically compromised and require urgent intervention.
