Commuters plying the pedestrian bridge at Oshodi in Lagos State have expressed panic over the bridge’s missing railings.
Our correspondent who visited the bridge on Thursday observed some terrified pedestrians lamenting while using the bridge.
PUNCH Metro observed that when approaching the Oshodi Terminal One, the damage to the bridge is barely perceptible, but when approaching Terminal Three via the train tracks, it is visible.
Some pedestrians and traders who spoke with our correspondent expressed the fear posed by the condition of the bridge, noting that children are more at risk.
A commuter simply identified as Aduke stated that it is hazardous to use the bridge, especially for students.
She said, “The bridge is risky to use because a lot of people pass here daily. Since the government has chased people away from the rail tracks, they should do the needful by fixing the bridge.
“There was a day I was passing and a student almost fell from the bridge. Although they were playing, children in general can be very careless. If something had happened to one of them at that point, the story would not be the same.
Also, a trader, Mariam Alao, stated that rather than focus on the clearing the railway tracks, the government should also fix the bridge.
“I use the bridge every day and it is not that strong again. The other side of the bridge is good but not everyone has the liberty to start going to the other side. Oshodi is a very busy environment and something has to be done fast before people start falling and dying.
“They already chased us from selling at the railway tracks and they are only focused on the railway instead of the government fixing the major problem. The government should fix the bridge immediately before the damage becomes plentiful.
A driver, Moses Adejare, urged the government to repair the bridge before the damage worsens.
“Although I barely ply the bridge because I use my bus to pass the other side, I have noticed that people always use the bridge with fear and they are always very careful lest they fall off the bridge. The situation of the bridge is not good.
“I want to plead with the government to fix the bridge because they do not have to wait for someone’s death before they know what to do.”
All efforts to get the reaction of the Director of Media and Publicity of the Lagos State Ministry of Works, Shina Odunuga, proved abortive as calls made and messages sent to his mobile phone number were not responded to as of the time of filing this report on Thursday.
