Works Minister, Umahi supervises demolition of structures under Iddo bridge in Lagos
The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, has undertaken the supervision of the demolition of illegal structures under Lagos’ Iddo Bridge today, following the expiration of a seven-day quit notice to the squatters.
The Minister informed the journalists that years of fire damage and unauthorized activity beneath the bridge, including shops and shelters had threaten the bridge stability.
Umahi explained that despite a legal challenge to the demolition, public safety comes first and assured of urgent action to restore the bridge’s structural integrity without delay.
According to him, this action is part of a larger effort to address safety concerns and improve the bridge’s structural integrity.
Umahi said: `Yeah. Right now. We are at Iddo Bridge, and we came with, a number of, bridge experts because, this bridge was burned down by people that have been occupying under the bridge. They even made a block wall, and, all kinds of, goods are being sold under the bridge.
“They have constructed under the bridge, you know, like, warehouses, you know, shops, and living accommodations. And that’s why the bridge is being totally burned down. And then we gave the contract to, you know, to repair it. And, you know, the engineers said that this bridge is on the verge of collapse, and they must be totally demolished and then reconstructed. And, we directed the people occupying this who burnt the bridge in the first place.
“Iddo Bridge in particular here. You know, Carter Bridge was also burned down. We also have, the Independence Bridge was also, affected. So, we asked them to vacate before the collapse of the bridge occasioned by the activities under the bridge, and they have refused and wrote us a letter. Oh, this matter is in court.
“So, what they are selling is more important than the life of Lagosians. And it is very illegal for anybody to come under the bridge to occupy the place under the bridge. And we are telling them for the lives of Lagosians and their own lives. This bridge is at the verge of collapse, evacuate so that we can do thorough examination and then be able to save lives and the inconveniences of the people of this country. And they’re writing us and telling us that the matter is in court, woah, we will be imprisoned.
“It’s better to be imprisoned and save the lives of Nigerians. So, they, I will ask the controller to call them and keep, about, you know, some measurable number of, policemen so that in case there is anything, you know, inside these places that we must abolish today, let the owners come and take it. You know? I’ve not seen any one inside. They just, did, you know, iron doors, you know, you know, partition by partition.
“But in case, while demolition, we see anything, even if it’s a pin, let police be here so that they can evacuate it. There is no going back in thorough examination of this, Iddo Bridge. You can see at the, you know, on the pass that vehicles also hit the bridge, and the beams are damaged. And beams are the life wire of every bridge. So, this is the directive.
“And every legal structure must go out of this place before the end of Monday. So, controller, you’ve been directed. If the man says we go to prison, prison is meant for human beings, but we have to save lives before we take our own lives to prison according to them. So, that is the position. So, the demolition must happen.”
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