Residents and road users of the Ijeshatedo pedestrian bridge along the Oshodi Apapa Expressway are lamenting the state of the bridge which had been abandoned for over 16 months
It was earlier reported that the bridge was closed due to damage caused by a heavy-duty truck that struck it in March 2022.
On Wednesday, residents claimed that several lives had been lost as pedestrians attempted to cross the busy highway daily.
A trader in the area, Zainab Tanimola, claimed the situation had taken many lives while lamenting that no effort had been made by the government to fix the bridge.
Tanimola said “Many lives have been lost due to the damaged bridge. Recently, an accident occurred which led to the death of a woman whose relatives relocated after her death.
“It has also affected the daily business of the traders around Ijeshatedo due to the fear of the residents and pedestrians crossing the expressway.
“What I have noticed is that white men and construction engineers come around to check the bridge but nothing has happened.”
Corroborating Tanimola, a resident, Fatai Sowemimo, said the bridge which had been abandoned over a year ago had led to the loss of lives.
Sowemimo said, “Pedestrians sometimes lost focus while crossing due to motorists driving against traffic on the expressway and this has led to the loss of many lives.
“We appeal to the government to help us fix the bridge quickly to reduce the accident rate.”
A road user identified simply as Yusuf said if the bridge was fixed, more pedestrians would use it and accidents in the area would reduce.
All efforts to get the reactions of the Director of Information, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Mrs. Maryam Sanusi, proved abortive as several calls and messages sent to her were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
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