Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has ordered the immediate closure of the waterway between the Eko and Carter Bridges in Lagos, following structural damage to Eko Bridge reportedly caused by illegal dredging.
The directive was issued during Umahi’s inspection of key infrastructure sites across Lagos on Saturday.
He called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enforce the closure without delay, warning that continued activity in the area poses a serious threat to public safety.
“A dredger hit a pier cap, leading to the collapse and submersion of both the cap and the pier,” Umahi explained during the tour. He confirmed that the operator responsible has been apprehended, and assured that the Federal Government will impose strict penalties due to the extent of the damage.
Umahi also expressed concern over ongoing illegal dredging activities near the Third Mainland Bridge, despite a Federal Executive Council resolution issued four months ago banning all dredging within a 10-kilometre radius of any bridge in Nigeria.
“I’m shocked to see dredging still taking place,” he said. “These actions are compromising the structural integrity of our bridges.”
The minister further warned against the use of bridges for parking and loading, urging the public to avoid such practices.
He emphasized that protecting Nigeria’s infrastructure and ensuring public safety must remain a national priority.
