|By Adejumo Adekunle-
Massive traffic gridlock continued to paralyze Lagos Island on Thursday, as the much-anticipated reopening of the Independence/Mekwen Bridge failed to materialize, despite a directive from the Federal Government.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge on Wednesday following widespread complaints about the traffic chaos caused by ongoing maintenance. However, by Thursday morning, Lagos Island was still gridlocked, with commuters and motorists stranded for hours.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, explained that while the government had hoped to reopen the bridge, rehabilitation work was still in progress. She confirmed that a critical section of the bridge had been cut off and was undergoing urgent repairs before it could be reopened. The closure, which began on April 1, 2025, is expected 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 avoid congestion,” Kesha stated.
Frustrated commuters have already been grappling with lengthy delays. Many motorists and commuters spent hours in traffic, with some even forced to sleep in their vehicles or offices overnight. As of 6 a.m. Thursday, the traffic congestion had already extended from Lekki and Victoria Island towards the Mainland.
In response to the growing crisis, a surge in ferry transportation was witnessed as desperate commuters sought to avoid the roadblocks. However, the Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu was not spared from the chaos. Operations were briefly disrupted after a fire broke out on a LAGFERRY boat, leaving nine passengers injured and hospitalized. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported.
The Lagos State Government has urged motorists without urgent business on the Island to avoid the Independence/Mekwen Bridge area. Traffic management personnel have been deployed to help ease congestion, but the situation remains challenging for commuters.
Motorists have been advised to take alternative routes to navigate the chaos:
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For those heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way: Use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road.
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For motorists heading to Third Mainland Bridge: Follow Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, and Ring Road.
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For those heading to Inner Marina and CMS: Take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, Obafemi Awolowo Road, and J.K. Randle Road.
Despite the government’s reassurances, many commuters continue to voice their frustration. Akinwale Odebiyi, a motorist, lamented, “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.”
Nosa John, another commuter, added, “My wife 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.”
The frustration is palpable. With repairs expected to last for weeks, commuters are left with no choice but to endure the hardships or seek alternative means of transportation.
