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The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing on Wednesday opened a
section of the IJora/Apapa Bridge, which was closed to traffic for repairs in
July.
section of the IJora/Apapa Bridge, which was closed to traffic for repairs in
July.
Also known as Leventis Bridge, the highway, which is a major exit point
from Apapa Wharf, was shut following a fire incident that affected its
reliability.
While re-opening the facility to traffic, the Director, Highway Service,
South West, Mr. Funsho Adebiyi, said the action would assist in taking trucks
off the road and ease traffic flow around the port.
South West, Mr. Funsho Adebiyi, said the action would assist in taking trucks
off the road and ease traffic flow around the port.
He thanked Lagosians and drivers for their patience and
cooperation while the exercise lasted.
cooperation while the exercise lasted.
Assuring them of government’s commitment to ensuring that roads
within Apapa axis were in good shape to ease businesses in the area, he,
however, warned that security agencies would begin the evacuation of miscreants
and illegal occupants of the bridge to prevent another inferno.
within Apapa axis were in good shape to ease businesses in the area, he,
however, warned that security agencies would begin the evacuation of miscreants
and illegal occupants of the bridge to prevent another inferno.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, said all
the expansion joints on the bridge were bad, adding that some other
deteriorated portions made it unsafe, hence its closure for repairs by Julius
Berger.
the expansion joints on the bridge were bad, adding that some other
deteriorated portions made it unsafe, hence its closure for repairs by Julius
Berger.
He said: “This is about the fourth bridge in Lagos that we have
completed maintenance work on. Earlier on, we completed that of Marine Beach.
We completed Coconut Bridge, Ijora 7Up Bridge and now the Leventis Bridge.”
completed maintenance work on. Earlier on, we completed that of Marine Beach.
We completed Coconut Bridge, Ijora 7Up Bridge and now the Leventis Bridge.”
To further tackle the traffic menace at the port, Adebiyi promised
that the Tincan Trailer Park, the main parking facility with supporting
amenities, including a police post, convenience and an office building (to be
used by the Nigeria Ports Authority) is ready.
that the Tincan Trailer Park, the main parking facility with supporting
amenities, including a police post, convenience and an office building (to be
used by the Nigeria Ports Authority) is ready.
He disclosed that the entire work, including the shoreline
protection, would be done within the next three months.
protection, would be done within the next three months.
Confirming the development, the contractor, Mr. Gianfranco
Albertazzi, said that most of the materials needed for completion of the
shoreline were already at the port awaiting clearance.
Albertazzi, said that most of the materials needed for completion of the
shoreline were already at the port awaiting clearance.
The contractor assured that, when completed, the facility would
take over 400 trucks off the road, which will significantly ease traffic on
Apapa road.
take over 400 trucks off the road, which will significantly ease traffic on
Apapa road.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had
on August 5, 2016, inspected the damaged bridge. After a meeting with relevant
stakeholders on August 7, he ordered the immediate closure of the bridge.
on August 5, 2016, inspected the damaged bridge. After a meeting with relevant
stakeholders on August 7, he ordered the immediate closure of the bridge.
Julius Berger moved to site the following day to begin emergency
repair works. But after an impact assessment of the bridge, it advised the
Federal Government to embark on its closure for comprehensive repairs.
repair works. But after an impact assessment of the bridge, it advised the
Federal Government to embark on its closure for comprehensive repairs.
The Guardian
