Partial closure to take about five months
To affect partial closure of Marine Bridge from next week
Indefinite closure of Eko Bridge
The Federal Government has categorically blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for the delay of works on the closed Alaka Bridge in Lagos state.
Constructed over four decades ago, stretches through Alaka, and Costain linking Eko Bridge in Lagos. It was, however, closed down to avert calamity and possible collapse.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Kayode Popoola (an Engineer), the delay in the award of contract was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as every federal government project had to follow a due process.
“Because of COVID-19, only senior officers are coming to office so they are processing the award of the contract,” he stressed.
Popoola expressed further that the bridge was closed down to avert calamity. “We don’t want it to collapse while people are using it. It is like a house, when you see a crack, you know that there is a problem; until you investigate and discover the problem”.
“We have discovered that there is a problem with the bridges that is why it was closed down until it is ratified before we open it.”
The controller also said that the FG would affect the partial closure of Marine bridge next week for the contractor to start the work and round it off, adding that the partial closure would take about five months as only a lane would be opened to traffic.
Popoola further pleaded with Lagosians to bear with government as palliative works had been done in all the alternative and adjoining road.
He, however, promised that the process of the contract award was on and would be disclosed soonest. “Although the award of contract is not definite, everybody that supposed to take part in the process is doing what he is supposed to do”.
Notwithstanding, the FG had announced the indefinite closure of Eko Bridge to enable an unhindered investigation on the worn-out bearings noticed between Alaka and Costain portion, inwards Apongbon of the bridge for rehabilitation purposes.
Although the closure was effected before the COVID-19 lockdown , the duration and likely date of reopening to the public is yet to be disclosed.
Both the federal and the Lagos state governments emphasised that the emergency closure was precautionary to prevent the total collapse of the bridge.
