After 54 days of closure, the Lagos State Government has reopened the very critical Ojota and Maryland sections of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge on Monday.
The rehabilitation project, which began on July 22, was completed in two phases, with the Ojota-bound side finished on August 23, and the Maryland-bound section completed on September 13.
At the reopening ceremony, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat frowned at the frequent theft of manhole covers in the state. To combat this issue, the government has switched to using fiber-reinforced materials instead of steel.
“Anyone caught stealing manhole covers will face prosecution,” Hamzat warned.
“Maintenance of infrastructure is not a challenge in Lagos. We’ve repaired expansion joints and replaced stolen manholes with fiber-reinforced covers.”
Hamzat emphasized the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s focus on road and bridge infrastructure to:
Reduce travel time, Boost interconnectivity, Provide better riding surfaces and Eliminate traffic gridlock
He noted that the government prioritizes safety, with many pedestrian bridges identified for routine maintenance.
“To tackle infrastructure abuse, we’ve resolved to address security threats and misuse of roads and bridges head-on,” Hamzat stated.
Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, attributed the project’s timely completion to the government’s commitment to alleviating motorists’ suffering.
The reopened bridge is expected to bring relief to commuters, easing vehicular movements along the axis.
