Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has apologized to residents for the traffic congestion caused by the repair work on the Independence Bridge.
The closure of the bridge left thousands stranded in traffic between Wednesday evening and early Thursday, with videos and photos of stranded commuters going viral on social media.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, ordered the reopening of the bridge to ease the traffic congestion. However, Sanwo-Olu explained that the renovation work was necessary to prevent an imminent disaster. “First, I think what is appropriate is really to first tender apologies to all our citizens and to all Lagosians for the very, very difficult, erroneous practices that we experienced in the last 24 hours in the city and within the island of Lagos,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that more should have been done to communicate with residents about the development. He emphasized that the closure was for the greater good of residents, stating that the repair work was to avert a disaster. “It was all for a good cause, it is all to avert future disaster waiting to happen. You know how life is — there is never a best time for you to do all you want to do, there will always be challenges even if you think it is the best time,” he said.
The governor advised residents to plan accordingly, given the repair work. “If you don’t have business to do in Victoria Island in the next two to three weeks, conduct your business via social media, telephone, Zoom meetings, online meetings, let’s plan. If you don’t need to come and visit somebody here, you don’t have to come,” he said.
