Traffic congestion remained severe in Lagos Island on Thursday despite the Federal Government’s directive to reopen the Independence/Mekwen Bridge.
Motorists and commuters endured long hours of gridlock, while some resorted to ferries as an alternative means of transport.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had ordered the bridge’s reopening on Wednesday following public outcry over the traffic disruptions caused by its closure for maintenance. However, as of Thursday morning, the bridge remained shut, exacerbating congestion across major routes leading to the Island.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, ongoing repairs on a severely damaged section of the bridge have made reopening impossible for now. She confirmed that the closure, which began on April 1, is scheduled to last until the end of May.
“The closure affects traffic traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to ease congestion,” Kesha stated, apologizing for the inconvenience.
Stranded commuters described the situation as unbearable, with some spending hours on the road or even sleeping in their vehicles. By early Thursday morning, traffic had already stretched from Lekki and Victoria Island towards the Mainland.
The worsening gridlock led to a surge in ferry usage, with high passenger traffic recorded at the Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu. However, operations were briefly disrupted when a LAGFERRY boat caught fire, injuring nine passengers, though no fatalities were reported.
The Lagos State Government has advised road users to explore alternative routes, including Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, and Falomo Roundabout, depending on their destination. Authorities also urged cooperation with traffic officials to ease movement.
Frustrated motorists lamented the lack of traffic enforcement.
“I spent six hours from Ojodu Berger to Victoria Island in the morning and another five hours back. There were no LASTMA officials to manage the chaos,” said Akinwale Odebiyi.
Another commuter, Nosa John, narrated how his wife missed an event due to the standstill: “She left Agege at 9 a.m. for a burial in Ajah but didn’t arrive until 6 p.m. She was stuck on the road all night and only got home at 7:30 a.m. the next day.”
With the repairs still ongoing and no clear timeline for immediate relief, residents and commuters are left with little choice but to endure the hardship or find alternative transportation.
