Press Releases

LASG To Restrict Vehicular Movement On Onikan Bridge
• FG issues 6-month ultimatum for removal of structures under bridges in Lagos

Mar 24, 2010 - The Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Works, announced on Wednesday that there will be a restriction of vehicular movement on the Inner Ring Road Bridge, Onikan from Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

The restriction, which will begin midnight of the said date, is a first step in the planned rehabilitation of a section of the Bridge affected by a recent fire incident at the Police Headquarters, Zone 2.

The damage to the underbelly of the Bridge occurred following the fire which gutted two buildings used by the Nigeria Police as exhibition rooms located under the Bridge that takes off from Marina to Ikoyi.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, who announced the restriction at a joint Press Briefing by the Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Works at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Tuesday, said that it would affect heavy duty and high capacity vehicles which would be re-routed to alternative roads.

Addressing Government House Correspondents, Engineer Johnson, who hinted that the restriction may last for about two months, pointed out that the period would enable the contractors, Messrs Julius Berger, to complete a test on the Bridge adding that only vehicles of light tonnage would be allowed on the Bridge during the period.

The Special Adviser explained that the preliminary test carried out after the fire incident showed that cracking of concrete occurred on both the supporting piers and the bottom of the Bridge deck as a result of the intense heat of the fire adding that reinforcement members of the deck are now exposed and prone to corrosion.

According to him, cables on the underside of the Bridge are completely burnt adding that the fire which gutted the buildings reportedly occurred as a result of upsurge in the voltage supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Engineer Johnson said the restriction was part of the recommendations of the State Government to the Pavement Evaluation Unit of the Federal Ministry of Works which, according to him, was also asked to immediately carry out an assessment of the structural elements of the Bridge.

Other recommendations, the Special Adviser said, included, to invite Messrs Julius Berger, the contractor that designed and built the Bridge, to carry out a structural intensity test of the Bridge Section.

Engineer Johnson, who said barriers would be placed at the head of the bridge from April 6 to prevent access by high capacity and long haulage vehicles with adequate signage before it to re-direct traffic, however, assured Lagosians that the Bridge is still safe for use as long as motorists obey the traffic orders and regulations to be put in place during the restriction period.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Controller of Works in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Ejike Mgbemena, confirmed the restriction saying the Federal and Lagos State Governments are together in the plan and are speaking with one voice on all issues relating to the Bridge and other similar bridges in Lagos.

Mgbemena, who said the briefing was an awareness campaign said as the restriction starts in the midnight of April 6, the relevant units of the Federal Works Ministry would commence a fitness assurance test to get the real strength of the Bridge.

Meanwhile, owners of structures currently under flyover bridges in Lagos State have been given up till six months to remove them or risk their being demolished by the Federal Government.

According to the Controller, “I want to announce that in the next six months, unless something happens, we want to remove every structure under the bridges. We cannot afford to lose any more bridge in Lagos any longer; enough is enough”.

“Any business that is not friendly under the bridge will be removed. We will solicit the cooperation of the Lagos State Government and all other relevant agencies in Lagos to ensure that this is achieved”, he said

He thanked the Lagos State Government and the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure for the cooperation and support he has received so far concerning the incident, adding that the two government will continue to strengthen their cooperation in order to safeguard infrastructures in the State.

Also, in his remarks, the Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said the State Government has made adequate arrangements to direct the heavy trucks such as caterpillars, articulated vehicles and earth movers to alternative routes even pending the provision of barriers.

According to the Special Adviser, very soon the barriers that will limit the size of vehicles that will ply the bridge will be erected while the signage will be erected about 50 metres from the Bridge.

On the alternative route for heavy duty vehicles, Opeifa said, “For now, the most credible route is to go through Ahmadu Bello Way and come out through Falomo Bridge then re-enter Awolowo Road. We do not advise people to come to Ikoyi through Third Mainland Bridge because there is also restriction on that bridge. As you reach Awolowo Bridge (The Bridge in question), turn to Bonny Camp as if going to Victoria Island, then find your way to Awolowo Road through Falomo Bridge”.

Also present at the occasion were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Director of Highway and Road Maintenance, Engineer Tosin Igun, a representative of the AIG Zone 2, CSP S. Adebowale, representatives of Messrs Julius Berger and other top Government functionaries.