….Explains delay in opening Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, says 6,000 manholes exposed
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Government has expressed concern that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has begun to affect some of its major infrastructural projects, including the 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital on Lagos Island.
The government also explained the delay in opening the already commissioned Opebi-Mende Link Bridge to motorists, citing unfinished adjoining roadworks as the cause.
The remarks were made on Monday during the 2026 ministerial press briefing marking the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, said work on the Massey Street Children’s Hospital had been slowed due to difficulties in importing essential construction materials, which he linked to the ongoing US–Iran war.
He said: “The contractor, according to documents made available to us, has experienced delays in importing necessary construction materials due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.”
The 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital, located on Lagos Island, is being rebuilt into a modern 7-storey paediatric facility and is expected to become Nigeria’s largest specialist children’s hospital. The project is designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services ranging from primary to advanced paediatric care.
Olayinka noted that the project has so far generated about 750 jobs, while the construction of a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo has also created about 600 jobs.
He added that despite global challenges, the administration remains committed to completing key health infrastructure projects before the end of its tenure.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration has demonstrated that the restoration of public health facilities remains a priority,” he said.
The Special Adviser said Lagos is rebuilding the Massey facility into a modern healthcare centre capable of handling the growing demand for paediatric services across the state.
Opebi-Mende Bridge delay
Also speaking, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola, explained that the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge has not yet been fully opened to motorists because work is still ongoing on connecting roads such as Salvation, Adeola, and Toyin Street, as well as an adjoining iconic monument project.
He said the bridge would be opened for public use once all linking infrastructure is completed.
Road projects and infrastructure update
Daramola said the state has completed 362 roads covering about 347 kilometres since 2019, alongside major investments in healthcare, education, justice administration, public safety, and digital infrastructure.
He added that 130 additional roads covering about 113 kilometres were completed within the last year alone.
According to him, several strategic projects—including the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor, Gberigbe Road in Ikorodu, Aka-Kemberi Road in Ojo, Ijegun-Ijagemo Road, and Akesan-Igando Road—are at advanced stages and nearing commissioning.
He also disclosed that key roads such as the Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbe Road, Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road, and the Lagos-Badagry carriageway are nearing completion.
6,000 exposed manholes
On public infrastructure safety, Daramola revealed that the state currently has about 6,000 exposed manholes across Lagos.
He said 4,000 have already been replaced with fibre materials, while 2,000 remain outstanding.
“We are working to replace all exposed manholes and improve safety across the state. It requires joint effort, including stakeholder engagement to prevent vandalism and theft of government property,” he said.
He added that the government is collaborating with relevant ministries and enforcement agencies to strengthen infrastructure protection.
