Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has explained the delay in opening the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge to motorists, saying contractors are still completing some parts of the project.
The governor gave the explanation on Thursday during a dinner with selected journalists in Lagos, according to TVC.
Sanwo-Olu said the state government decided not to open the bridge until the contractors complete the remaining work, particularly the installation involving large cranes.
According to him, opening the bridge before the equipment arrived could have forced the government to close it again shortly after.
“We didn’t want to open it and now need to shut it down again before they arrive,” the governor said.
He added that the contractors had assured the government that the outstanding work would be completed within two weeks.
“They’ve assured us that in another two weeks, it should be completed,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
If the contractors meet the latest deadline, the bridge is expected to open towards the end of September.
The project, however, has missed several earlier completion dates.
In December 2023, Sanwo-Olu said the bridge was about 65 per cent complete and was expected to be ready by the second or third quarter of 2024. In June 2024, the state government also announced that the project would be completed before the end of that year.
In April, President Bola Tinubu sent Senate President Godswill Akpabio to commission the road.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio described the project as an important link that would improve movement and create better access for residents and businesses in Lagos.
On September 3, Sanwo-Olu again assured residents that the bridge would be opened before the end of September, noting that finishing work was still ongoing.
The governor explained that one of the remaining features was an architectural structure over the bridge, which he described as an “iconic cane.”
He said the feature was designed to give the bridge a distinctive appearance and could also make it a tourist attraction.
The Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge is expected to provide an alternative route linking Opebi, Mende, Maryland and Ojota while helping to reduce traffic congestion on surrounding roads.
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