The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has called for the immediate closure of the waterway between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge following damage caused by dredging activities.
Umahi made the call during an inspection tour of several bridges in Lagos State.
He urged Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to enforce the closure to prevent further accidents.
“The dredger that hit the pier cap and the pier tumbled and they sunk,” the minister said.
He disclosed that the driver of the dredger, or its owner, had been arrested, adding that the Federal Government would take decisive action due to the extent of the damage.
“I also saw a very serious dredging along Third Mainland Bridge, notwithstanding that the Federal Executive Council, about four months ago, banned dredging along 10km radius from all bridges in Nigeria.”
“I am shocked that dredging is still taking place,” he added.
Umahi stressed that dredging near bridges compromises their structural integrity.
He also appealed to members of the public to refrain from parking or loading vehicles on bridges.
The minister emphasised the importance of safeguarding the lives of Nigerians as well as protecting the country’s road infrastructure.
