The Federal Government has raised alarm over serious damage inflicted on the nearly completed Lotto Bridge Interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, after a careless incident involving a heavy-duty vehicle.
During an inspection on Monday, Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, expressed deep concern, revealing that an articulated low-bed truck carrying an excavator had struck the bridge. The incident, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, was caused by the excavator’s boom not being properly secured—leading it to hit the bridge beams.
“The boom was too high and wasn’t adequately lowered. It crashed into the bridge and caused significant destruction,” Kesha explained.
She disclosed that five bridge beams were affected—two of them severely—and would need complete replacement. The damage is not just a structural issue but one that affects millions of Nigerians relying on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“To fix this, we must shut down the damaged side and divert traffic, which will cause delays and frustration for commuters,” she added.
Kesha noted that beyond the inconveniences, the nation would bear a heavy financial burden to repair the bridge.
“This kind of recklessness is unacceptable. The consequences go beyond the driver—millions suffer for one person’s carelessness,” she warned.
Since Friday, a detailed damage assessment has been underway. Though a repair timeline isn’t fixed yet, the Federal Controller assured that reconstruction will begin once the report is approved.
“We’re compiling a full report detailing the damage, cost estimates, and how repairs will be done. As soon as we get the green light, the contractor will start work,” she said.
Kesha didn’t stop there—she called out the consistent damage done by overloaded and poorly managed heavy vehicles across Nigeria.
“It’s not just about building good roads. If drivers keep overspeeding and ignoring safety rules, our roads will keep getting damaged,” she stated.
The bridge clearance was built above the standard 5 metres—reaching up to 5.6 or 6 metres—to accommodate local driving habits. Still, this wasn’t enough to prevent the accident.
The Lotto Bridge, which was designed to ease traffic for travelers heading to Ikorodu, Sagamu, and Mowe, was just steps away from completion. Sadly, the damage has now pushed the project’s timeline back by several months.
The driver responsible for the crash has since been arrested, and the bridge will remain closed until it is fully repaired and deemed safe.
“We won’t rush the opening. Safety comes first,” Kesha affirmed, reinforcing the government’s dedication to protecting lives and maintaining national infrastructure.
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