In a decisive move to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure public safety, the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, initiated a comprehensive investigation into the alarming proliferation of unauthorized commercial activities and illegal encroachments within the Right-of-Way of the Eko Bridge and other Federal bridges in Lagos State.
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Lanre Okunlola, was deliberated during today’s plenary session, spotlighting severe structural and safety risks posed by unregulated occupations beneath major national transport corridors.
Lawmakers noted that the Eko Bridge is a strategic Federal Government infrastructure supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works, serving as a primary transportation artery linking the Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island.
The House expressed grave concern over recent reports from the Federal Ministry of Works revealing that illegal activities around the Eko Bridge, particularly unauthorized operations near the bridge foundations, have damaged critical structural components. This damage has necessitated emergency engineering interventions to safeguard the bridge from potential failure.
Furthermore, the House drew attention to the continuous emergence of containers, makeshift structures, warehouses, markets, workshops, and other commercial developments beneath and around the Eko Bridge and adjoining bridge corridors. These activities pose severe threats regarding:
- Endangering core bridge components and obstructing essential inspections, repairs, and expansions.
- Creating critical fire hazards, environmental sanitation challenges, and safety risks for commuters and surrounding residential communities.
- Operating without valid approvals from lawful authorities, in direct contravention of the Federal Highways Act, applicable planning regulations, and Federal Ministry of Works guidelines.
- Highlighting a lack of effective coordination between the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Lagos State Government, and other relevant bodies.
To arrest the deterioration of these vital assets and hold violators accountable, the House resolved to:
Urge the Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (where applicable), Lagos State physical planning authorities, and other relevant agencies to furnish the House with approved engineering drawings, survey plans, Right-of-Way maps, occupancy approvals, and all related documents.
Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and allied agencies to institute strict enforcement measures, including the immediate removal of all illegal structures within the Federal Right-of-Way, alongside long-term preservation and monitoring frameworks for federal bridges nationwide.
Mandate the Committee on Works to investigate all developments, commercial activities, container terminals, and markets located beneath and within the Right-of-Way of Eko Bridge and other Federal bridges in Lagos State to determine their legality and compliance with Federal laws, reporting back within four (4) weeks.
Mandate the Committee on Public Assets to ascertain if any public asset has been compromised, occupied, leased, alienated, or utilized contrary to extant laws, and to identify all persons, agencies, or organizations responsible.
The House of Representative remains resolute in its oversight duty to safeguard critical public infrastructure, ensure strict compliance with federal highway laws, and protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of commuters who depend on these strategic transit corridors.
