Lagos Govt Reopens Maryland Bridge, Enforces Zero Tolerance on Vandalism
September 17, 2024
By Okafor Joseph
The Lagos State Government has officially reopened the Ojota and Maryland sections of the Odo Iya-Alaro Bridge, marking a significant achievement in the ongoing infrastructure development efforts across the state.
At the reopening ceremony, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting public infrastructure, declaring a zero-tolerance policy for vandalism and theft. Addressing the challenges of infrastructure maintenance, Hamzat remarked, “Everybody is saying that maintenance of infrastructure is a challenge, but in Lagos, we are saying it is not.”
The deputy governor highlighted the extensive repairs made to the bridge, including the replacement of damaged expansion joints and stolen manhole covers. In a strategic move to prevent future theft, the state has replaced the metallic manhole covers with fiber materials. Hamzat explained, “These new manhole covers are fibres, not metals… If you take it, it is useless,” stressing the futility of stealing non-metallic covers.
He also emphasized the critical safety function of manhole covers, which protect pedestrians and motorists from accidents that could result from exposed openings. “Manhole covers serve an important safety purpose, protecting people from falling off bridges,” he said.
The Lagos State Government remains focused on improving the state’s infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, to reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion. Hamzat underscored the administration’s efforts, stating, “We are focused on road and bridge infrastructure to reduce travel time, saving important hours that would have otherwise been lost to traffic.”
The reopening of the Maryland Bridge is part of a broader plan by the Lagos government to boost transportation efficiency and ensure the durability of public infrastructure for residents.
