Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has called for the immediate closure of the waterway between Eko and Carter Bridges due to the damage on Eko Bridge by dredging activities.
Umahi made the call during an inspection tour of some bridges in Lagos State.
He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enforce the closure to prevent further accidents.
” The dredger hit a pier cap and the pier tumbled and they sunk,” the minister said.
He said the driver of the dredger or its owner had been arrested, adding that the federal government would take a decisive action on it because the damage is much.
“I also saw a very serious dredging along Third Mainland Bridge, notwithstanding that the Federal Executive Council, about four months ago, banned dredging along 10km radius from all bridges in Nigeria.
”I am shocked that dredging is still taking place.”
The minister noted that dredging near bridges undermine their structural integrity.
Umahi also appealed to members of the public to avoid parking and loading on bridges.
He emphasised the importance of safeguarding lives and the country’s road infrastructure NAN
