Independence bridge: Rhodes-Vivour criticizes Lagos government over handling of repairs

DDM News

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos, has criticized the state government’s handling of the Independence Bridge repairs.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, Rhodes-Vivour called the government’s response to the ongoing bridge repair project “insensitive” to Lagos residents.

He stated that the repair work had caused significant hardship for many commuters who rely on the bridge daily.

The bridge, located in Victoria Island, serves as a critical route for traffic in the state.

Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern that the government had failed to plan the repair work adequately.

He argued that the traffic gridlock caused by the bridge closure was a result of poor planning and communication.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited the site of the repair work on Thursday to assess the situation.

During the visit, Sanwo-Olu apologized to the motorists affected by the severe traffic congestion on Wednesday.

The governor acknowledged that the lack of proper public communication contributed to the chaos experienced by commuters.

Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by several senior officials, including Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi.

Also present were Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso and Special Adviser on Transport Sola Giwa.

The governor admitted that the inadequate planning had led to traffic jams, which had inconvenienced many Lagosians.

Despite the apology, Rhodes-Vivour expressed that this was not enough to address the concerns of the public.

He emphasized that the residents of Lagos deserved more than just an apology after suffering significant delays.

“The anguish could have been avoided with better planning,” Rhodes-Vivour stated, criticizing the late response to the crisis.

He further stressed that the government’s failure to communicate effectively had added to the distress of residents.

Many commuters have voiced their frustration over the lack of alternative routes during the bridge closure.

The Independence Bridge has been intermittently closed over the past few weeks for essential repairs.

These repairs are part of the government’s broader infrastructure improvement efforts across Lagos State.

However, the ongoing disruptions have led to mounting tensions among residents and road users.

Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised that steps will be taken to improve communication for future road projects.

Despite these assurances, many residents remain skeptical about the government’s ability to manage such large-scale projects effectively.

The Independence Bridge is a vital connection for commuters traveling between Victoria Island and other parts of Lagos.

The ongoing repair work is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, causing further inconvenience for Lagosians.

While Governor Sanwo-Olu’s apology was seen as an acknowledgment of the situation, many believe it came too late.

Rhodes-Vivour and other critics have called for better planning and execution of future infrastructure projects in the state.

The incident has raised broader concerns about the state of Lagos’ transportation infrastructure.

As the bridge repairs continue, residents hope that the government will learn from this experience and improve its management practices.

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