Minister of works, David Umahi, has reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Friday, Umahi said permanent work on the bridge will start in three weeks.
The minister said the contractors worked overnight to ensure that the bridge was ready for use.
“When we open the bridge, by the special grace of God, I will be first to attest to the integrity of the bridge. I will be the first to pass,” Umahi said.
“We need to be very grateful and thankful to God Almighty for His mercies. We worked all through the night to restore this. If you asked me how it happened, I would say it is by God’s Grace and wisdom.
“The integrity of the bridge is 100 percent. What we are doing later is for long-term effect. But there is no problem with this repair.”
The closure of the bridge resulted in hours-long gridlock with commuters and motorists stranded on Wednesday in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
On Monday, Olukorede Kesha, the federal controller of works in Lagos, disclosed the closure of the bridge for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works.
Following public outcry as a result of the bridge closure, Umahi ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge on Thursday.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, had apologised to residents for the gridlock experienced due to the rehabilitation of the bridge.
Sanwo-Olu advised residents to conduct their businesses via online platforms in the next two or three weeks to avoid the traffic congestion.
