The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of the Lagos State Eko Bridge, following the fire incident at Apongbon market which affected a section of the bridge.
What’s happening
The federal ministry of works is set to conduct an integrity test on the bridge due to the section of the bridge affected by the fire.
- Eko bridge is one of the three bridges linking Lagos mainland to the island. The other two bridges are the Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland bridge. Eko bridge was recently repaired by the construction company, Julius Berger.
What they are saying
Till the integrity test is complete, the Lagos state government suggested alternative routes, including Ijora/Apapa area, the Leventis/UBA roundabout to connect Marina area, or the Ebute Ero axis to link Inner Marina and Third Mainland Bridge. FG also ordered traders positioned beneath any bridge in Nigeria to vacate those spots by March 31st.
Fire outbreak
The cause of the fire outbreak which started in the early hours of Wednesday morning is yet to be determined. Reports say that the combustible materials stored beneath the Eko Bridge could allegedly cause the inferno.
Although there was no death in the incident, the fire which lasted for hours before it was put out gulped many shops worth millions of naira.