Many motorists using the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, where the damaged Lotto Interchange Bridge is located, have raised alarms over the imminent danger the bridge poses.
They warned that countless lives could be lost if the structure gives way.
The bridge at Mowe’s section of the road has remained hazardous to the many travelers and motorists who use the road linking other parts of the country daily, even three months after senior Federal Government officials inspected it and promised repairs.
It could be learnt that the bridge, which is one of the expressway’s unfinished interchanges, was damaged in April when an articulated vehicle carrying an excavator collided with its beams.
Further reports indicate the bridge became even more unstable when, within a month of the first incident, another truck transporting a large tank for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited struck the same weakened section.
According to Leadership, a check on the bridge revealed some crucial parts of the overhead beams now hang precariously, threatening to fall anytime a vehicle crosses the bridge, thereby posing a serious threat to road users.
During a visit to the bridge on Sunday, it was observed that the limited headroom continues to cause collisions with heavy-duty trucks that use the road without strict enforcement of safety regulations.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, led a joint inspection in May with highway bridge directors, controllers from Lagos and Ogun states’ ministries, structural engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works, and officials from Lagos Ministry of Works to assess five critical bridges including Lotto, Ogere, Sapade, and Alapako.
Umahi uncovered severe structural risks at Lotto Bridge, including rusted reinforcement rods and damage from repeated heavy truck collisions. He noted the existing headroom was inadequate for modern transportation demands.
On the damage to the bridge, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, said the destruction was caused by a low-bed articulated truck carrying an excavator colliding with the structure.
She explained the bridge was in its final stages, with only the connecting ramps left for completion by the contractor who took over from Julius Berger, when the collision damaged five beams, two beyond repair, necessitating replacement and a fresh technical assessment to evaluate the full scope of repairs.
“The Lotto Bridge was almost completed, with only the connecting ramps left to be finished by the contractor who took over from Julius Berger. Unfortunately, the recent damage is expected to delay the project by several months,” Kesha said.
She also highlighted the likely ripple effects on traffic flow, safety, and economic activity along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an essential route for the movement of people and goods.
Kesha added, “Technical evaluation of the damage had commenced with government engineers currently preparing a detailed report outlining the required repairs, cost implications, and a revised completion timeline for the project. Once the report is approved, the contractor will immediately begin the necessary repair work without delay.”
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos confirmed that the driver responsible for the crash had been arrested.
She urged logistics companies and fleet operators to fully comply with safety regulations, warning the government would enforce strict measures—including activating weighbridges at the Old Toll Gate—to curb overloading, height violations, and other dangerous practices.
“The Lotto Bridge Interchange will remain closed to traffic until the damaged sections are completely repaired and officially certified safe,” Kesha stressed, emphasizing that public safety remains the highest priority before reopening the vital infrastructure.
Motorists interviewed by our correspondent lamented that the bridge’s headroom is deteriorating and causing fear and tension. They warned accidents are likely if urgent rehabilitation does not take place.
Alhaji Yunusa, a motorist, said, “The lives of thousands of motorists and millions of transporters are on the verge of being ruined by what I call government carelessness to quickly address this scourge.”
He added, “If nothing is done urgently, many lives will be lost, and businesses will grind to a halt when the bridge eventually falls.” He called on the government to intervene swiftly to save the Lotto Bridge from collapse.
Another observer urged the Minister of Works to present the drone study of the Lotto Bridge to the president for urgent funding approval so that structural engineers can begin repairs immediately.
Despite these pledges, emergency repair work on the distressed Lotto Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has yet to begin.
Following the inspection three months ago, the Minister of Works directed emergency repairs for five critical bridges on the road, including Lotto, Ogere, Sapade, and Alapako, where he acknowledged serious structural threats such as rusted reinforcement rods and damage caused by repeated collisions from heavy trucks.
Two months ago, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha disclosed plans for palliative repairs on failing expansion joints along key bridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. However, these works have not commenced.
In a recent video shared by a concerned citizen, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, was called upon to start repairs to avert disaster on the busy road. The citizen warned of the imminent collapse of the bridge if swift government action is not taken and blamed truck drivers for ignoring warning signs and damaging the bridge further.
Efforts to reach Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press at the Ministry of Works, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji, described the video as old and said the Controller of Works had already responded. He referred this reporter to the Controller of Works and shared her previous response on the distressed bridges.
In her statement, the Controller of Works said, “Careless trailers continue to hit the bridge. We are in the process of repairing it and increasing the headroom.
“We’re working to increase the headroom, but how many of those who have the warning signs obey them? It’s a known fact that the authorised headroom for bridges is 5m, as stated in all our books, and the maximum axle load is 30 tons. Who obeys? Nobody. Those who load and operate the truck you just showed are aware of these limits but will not adhere to them. They disobey the law and get away with it. Even if they are caught, they face no consequences. Nigeria, we hail thee. They can try this in any of our neighbouring countries. Press should help to educate them, please. The amount committed to avoidable repairs is so much.”
