Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a public apology to residents following the severe traffic disruptions caused by the closure of the Independence (McEwen) Bridge for repairs.
The bridge, a crucial route connecting Lagos Island and the mainland, was scheduled for closure from April 1 to the end of May 2025 as part of an extensive repair project.
However, its shutdown led to unprecedented gridlock across the city, with motorists facing hours-long delays.
Alternative routes such as the Five Cowrie (Falomo) Bridge and the Lekki-Epe Expressway were heavily congested, creating a ripple effect on major roads in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki.
Streets like Akin Adesola and Ozumba Mbadiwe on Victoria Island, Alfred Rewane (Kingsway) and Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, as well as Admiralty Way and Freedom Way in Lekki, were among the most affected.
Among those caught in the gridlock was veteran actress Kate Henshaw, who took to social media to express her frustration.
Similarly, BBNaija star Jumoke Zainab Adedoyin, popularly known as JMK, lamented spending eight hours traveling from the airport to her home, describing the experience as unbearable.
In response to the public outcry, Governor Sanwo-Olu apologized for the inconvenience and acknowledged the hardship faced by residents.
He explained that the decision to repair the bridge had been in the works for over three years to prevent a potential disaster.
The governor further stated that all alternative routes would be cleaned up more frequently to ease movement.
He also announced that more traffic officers and security operatives would be deployed to manage congestion, similar to measures taken during the December holiday season.
Additionally, Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to continue obeying traffic rules and encouraged offices with remote work capabilities to consider allowing employees to work from home during the repair period.
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