By Toochi Ejiofor
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge will be open before the Christmas holidays, following delays in its completion.
The governor gave the assurance during a visit to the bridge to assess the site’s progress. He said the project was initially scheduled to open by the end of September, based on the work plan presented to him.
Sanwo-Olu attributed the delay to the installation of a 25-metre steel monument designed to preserve the history of Cane Village, an area in Odo-Iya Alaro historically known for its cane market, weaving, furniture-making and other crafts.
According to the governor, the monument features four hands of cane weaving as a tribute to the area’s heritage and is intended to serve as a landmark along the corridor.
Sanwo-Olu said three of the four steel components had been assembled and fitted, while installation of the final component is ongoing. He added that the monument is 80 per cent complete and requires a few more days to finish.
The Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge, also known as the Opebi-Odo-Iya Alaro Bridge, was conceived in 2022, with an initial completion timeline set for the second quarter of 2024. President Bola Tinubu commissioned the project in April 2026, but it has remained closed to the public since then.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, previously attributed the delay to ongoing finishing touches, particularly work on the bridge’s aesthetic features.
However, findings by IkejaBird indicated that some of the bridge’s bearings were being reworked, a process that could take up to six months. The bridge was subsequently expected to become fully operational before the end of the year.
Designed to connect Ojota, Maryland, Mende, Opebi and Allen, the bridge is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce travel time for commuters in Ikeja and surrounding areas.
With the latest assurance from the governor, many hope the bridge is finally open before the holidays, after months of waiting.
