The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has mandated an immediate halt to all water traffic between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos. The directive, issued on Saturday, April 5, 2025, stems from severe structural damage to Eko Bridge, attributed to unauthorized dredging operations in the area.
During a comprehensive inspection of vital infrastructure in Lagos, Umahi highlighted the urgency of the closure, pressing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enforce the measure without delay. The minister revealed that a dredger had collided with a critical pier cap, causing both the cap and its supporting pier to collapse into the water. “This reckless act has compromised the bridge’s stability,” Umahi stated, noting that the individual responsible for operating the dredging equipment is now in custody. He assured the public that the Federal Government would impose stringent penalties due to the extensive harm caused.
Umahi expressed alarm at ongoing illegal dredging near the Third Mainland Bridge, despite a Federal Executive Council decision four months prior banning such activities within a 10-kilometer radius of all Nigerian bridges. “It’s shocking to witness dredging persisting in these restricted zones,” he remarked, emphasizing that these actions threaten the structural integrity of essential infrastructure. He urged citizens to refrain from parking or loading goods on bridges, a practice that further endangers public safety.
The waterway shutdown aims to prevent additional incidents and safeguard Lagos residents, with the minister calling for immediate compliance to protect the city’s critical transportation network.
