JUST IN: FG directs immediate closure of Ijora bridge

The Federal Government has directed the immediate closure of the Ijora-Olopa Bridge following the failure of a section of the Bridge along Ijora Olopa Road, beside Water Corporation, Ijora.

It said the failure was caused by the theft of a major reinforcement element of the deck by miscreants in the area.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, in a Press Statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Hakeem Bello, on Wednesday night, identified the failed section as the Ijora-Olopa inward Ijora-Oloye�Apapa.

It will be recalled that a portion of one of the major access bridges leading to the Apapa Port, the Ijora bridge, caved in, causing traffic gridlock in the early hours of Wednesday with officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority barricading the failed section and coordinated traffic flowing out of the port area.

According to the Statement, roads leading directly to the Bridge such as Costain inward Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge descent inward Ijora Oloye will be closed to traffic immediately.

The special adviser also listed alternative routes to be used by commuting public.

The statement partly read, “Working with the Lagos State Government and other traffic management authorities, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos has also issued the following Traffic Advisory to ensure that motorists and other members of the commuting public are able to use alternative routes.

“From Eko Bridge motorists should take IGANMU/ SIFAX to Ijora Oloye or Apapa,

“From Iddo to Ijora-Oloye/ Apapa; traffic will be diverted at the intersection underpass at Ijora Olopa on contraflow, and reconnected at the U-Turn to Ijora-Oloye or Apapa.”

The statement added the works Minister had on several occasions asked illegal squatters occupying Lagos under-bridges to quit as fire incidents and other illegal activities underneath such bridges often result in extensive damage to the vital infrastructure constructed with the nation�s scarce resources.