FG May Lose over N200bn to Ijora-Apapa Bridge Closure

The plan by the federal government to close the Ijora-Apapa Bridge in Lagos for “permanent repairs” will cost the country over N200 billion, if the bridge is blocked for two months. The government makes between N1.2 trillion and N1.3 trillion annually from the ports through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Also, stakeholders believe closing the bridge without first fixing the Tincan portion of the dilapidated Apapa-Oshodi Expressway will amount to shooting itself in the foot. They called on the government to have a rethink and fix the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway before closing the Ijora-Apapa Bridge for repairs; otherwise, there will be no access to the ports. President, National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, told THISDAY that closing the Ijora-Apapa Bridge without proper traffic management will lead to cargoes been divert to other countries. According to him, “It will make no sense, if they go ahead and close the bridge without alternative roads to the port. The Tincan section of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway has completely collapsed. That road must be fixed first and the trucks on the Ijora-Apapa Bridge that has extended to Western Avenue and Maryland must also be cleared before anything can be done. “I can tell you that the country will lose a lot of cargo and billions of naira in revenue. Daily, Nigerians who ply that road suffer undue hardship; some are killed by falling containers and trucks. Why add more insult to injury? It makes no sense why anybody will think of this. They should immediately reverse the decision and first provide alternative means of getting in and out of the Apapa port, which is the gateway to the Nigerian economy.” An official of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) said the government had to provide alternative means of getting in and out of the port. The official, who did not want his name in print, however, argued that the government will not lose much revenue since it is a partial closure. The federal government had recently announced that it would close the Ijora-Apapa Bridge for “permanent repairs” as soon as stakeholders come up with alternative routes for use by commuters. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, said this in Lagos recently. He assured that Julius Berger Plc, the contractor handling the project, was ready to move to site. The controller noted that the ministry was working on effective traffic diversion alternatives that would ensure minimal stresses on users then. Kuti stated that the bridge was still in use because of an earlier emergency repair work done by Julius Berger to stabilise it. According to him, Messrs Buildwell Nigeria Ltd, had completed permanent repairs on an extension of the bridge, which was damaged by fire. The controller explained that when Julius Berger returned to site, it would carry out permanent repairs on the portion of the bridge awarded to it.