The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has officially reopened the Independence Bridge connecting Victoria Island and Ikoyi, Lagos, after its abrupt closure earlier this week caused severe traffic gridlock across the city.

Umahi personally drove across the bridge in a symbolic move ahead of its reopening on Friday, April 4, signaling its readiness for public use after emergency repair work was carried out overnight.

Addressing journalists on-site, the minister credited divine intervention and the swift efforts of his team for the rapid reopening. “We worked through the night and we’ve restored this. If you ask me how it happened, I would say it’s by God’s wisdom and grace,” Umahi said. “The integrity of the bridge and the repairs carried out are 100 percent secure.”

While the bridge is now accessible to the public, Umahi confirmed that more comprehensive, permanent construction work is scheduled to begin in three weeks. This will include structural reinforcement to address underlying concerns about the load-bearing capacity of key components, particularly the pipes supporting adjacent apartments.

“The long-term plan is to relieve the apartment structures of any potential strain from the bridge. We’ll be introducing pin loads that will take pressure off entirely,” Umahi explained.

The emergency closure of the bridge earlier in the week had left thousands of commuters stranded for hours, prompting a public outcry and a swift response from the federal government. Umahi acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, “The President is very sensitive to the plight of Nigerians. He saw the hardship caused by the sudden closure and acted immediately.”

Residents can now expect smoother commutes in the interim, but officials urge continued patience as further infrastructural upgrades get underway later this month.