The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports alleging that vandals were dismantling parts of the Alakija Interchange Bridge along the Lagos-Badagry corridor.
A delegation from the ministry inspected the bridge site in Lagos on Saturday following a viral social media video which claimed that scavengers were removing components from the bridge infrastructure.
The inspection was carried out on the directive of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, with officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other stakeholders participating.
Officials explained that structures shown in the viral footage as allegedly damaged bridge columns were actually piles undergoing an approved engineering process.
Balogun Abdurrahman, an official of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, explained that the rough appearance of the structures was expected because the piles were originally designed to remain below ground level.
He said a working platform had been constructed around the piles to allow contractors to carry out jackhammering and jacketing, a process designed to strengthen and protect the structures.
According to Balogun, the contractor handling the work was already at the site and was expected to commence the next phase of jacketing in the coming week.
He added that concrete had been poured into drilled holes during the construction process, accounting for the appearance of the piles.
One of the piles, he noted, had already undergone jacketing.
Balogun therefore dismissed claims that the bridge was being vandalised, describing the work observed at the site as part of the ongoing engineering process.
Also speaking, Musa Saidu, Director of Bridges and Design at the Federal Ministry of Works, said the inspection became necessary after videos and reports circulated online alleging that scavengers were removing reinforcement from the bridge.
Saidu said Umahi ordered the immediate inspection to establish the actual condition of the infrastructure.
He said the assessment confirmed that there was no evidence of vandalism at the bridge.
Saidu explained that the contractor had established the platform as part of preparations for the jacketing of the piles.
He also disclosed that the project was being executed by the Lagos State Government.
The ministry official, however, warned residents against using the space beneath the bridge for accommodation or other activities, noting that such practices could expose the infrastructure to damage and increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
Earlier, Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, South-West, said her office had received complaints and videos alleging that scavengers were damaging bridges and other government infrastructure.
She said the information was forwarded for verification, leading to the minister’s directive for the inspection.
Ojudu said the exercise demonstrated the government’s willingness to respond to reports from communities and citizens and verify concerns raised about public infrastructure.
She appealed to Lagos residents to refrain from living under bridges, stressing that such structures were designed for transportation and not habitation.
She also urged residents to keep their surroundings clean and assist government authorities in protecting public infrastructure from damage.
The delegation included Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, among other officials and stakeholders.
