The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olukayode Popoola, on Friday advised members of the public to stay off the Airport Road Flyover in Lagos which was seriously burnt by fire, pending the determination of its structural safety.

The bridge, which runs over Toyota Bus Stop on the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway being reconstructed, was engulfed by fire when a petrol tanker burst into flames on Thursday.

The federal and Lagos State governments on Friday carried out a joint inspection to determine the extent of damage to the bridge and adjoining roads.

Leading the state and federal officials, Popoola raised concerns over the safety of the bridge, saying that its structural integrity had yet to be ascertained.

He said samples were being taken from the burnt bridge for analysis to be able to ascertain the level of damage and where to carry out repairs.

Popoola said that 200 metres of the rigid pavement of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project being carried by the Dangote Group was burnt.

He added that the deck of the flyover was burnt and its pier badly damaged, raising fears of structural instability of the bridge.

The controller said that the bridge was barricaded after the fire because of safety concerns, regretting that the barriers were removed at night.

Popoola warned that there would be risks in using the bridge.

“We are taking some samples to go and analyse before we know the structural stability. But physically, a lot of damage has been done to this pier of the bridge.

“The integrity is already compromised.

“Yesterday, the road was barricaded, but in the night, some people went and removed the barricade.

“We are advising that members of the public should not take the risk of using this bridge,” he said.

He said that outcome of tests would ensure appropriate action on the flyover constructed by Julius Berger Plc, as well as the highway under reconstruction by the Dangote Group.