Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a public apology to motorists affected by the severe traffic congestion caused by the closure of the Independence Bridge on Victoria Island.

Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment on Thursday, the Governor admitted that inconsistent and inadequate public communication contributed to the gridlock. He acknowledged that while rehabilitation work on the bridge had commenced earlier, the full impact of the closure was only realized when traffic resumed after the Eid-el-Fitr holiday.

Sanwo-Olu pointed to the mass return of workers as a major factor, noting that a significant number of commuters resumed duty simultaneously, exacerbating congestion. He urged residents whose jobs allow remote work to consider virtual alternatives to reduce traffic pressure.

Responding to the Federal Government’s directive to reopen the bridge immediately, the Governor expressed concerns over feasibility, citing ongoing excavation work that has made the road impassable.

To ease congestion, Sanwo-Olu assured Lagosians that more traffic enforcement officers and security personnel would be deployed to manage vehicular movement and ensure public safety throughout the rehabilitation period.