Third Mainland Bridge repairs to be completed soon – Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the ongoing rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge will be completed soon.

He also allayed the fear of road users in Lagos about the integrity of the Third Mainland, Eko and Carter bridges, saying “There is no need to worry.”

A statement signed by the Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, on Wednesday, said the minister gave the promise after a joint assessment tour of the three bridges, in the company of the  Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The Federal Government had on January 9, 2024, closed the bridge for comprehensive rehabilitation due to several failed portions of the bridge. 

Nigerians had lamented the state of the bridge, with long stretches of the 11.8-kilometre road riddled with crater-sized potholes. 

Explaining the work to be done, Umahi said, “Some of the defective elements are going to be fixed. But there’s nothing to worry about. We are going to reinstate those defective slabs with the new design.”

The minister blamed the dilapidated state on the lack of serious maintenance years after the bridge was constructed.

He therefore assured all that the failure of the bridge would be addressed.

“Over the years, after the construction of the bridge, there was no serious maintenance. So, we are working on the problems with the bridges.

“Some comprehensive works would be done especially in the area of provision of street lights on and under the bridge and installation of CCTV and the bridge would be opened to road users very soon,” he said.

He however told the contractor to ensure the right quality materials are utilised to ensure value for money.

The government approved the total sum of N21.07 bn for the repairs.

On the state of the Lagos shoreline, Umahi stressed that the shore protection on the marina needs urgent attention, noting that the Lagos railway project, the Blue Line might be threatened if nothing is done to address the matter.

At the end of the exercise in Lagos, the ministers agreed there was a need for rehabilitation work to be carried out, noting that the impact created by the current of water under the bridges and on the shoreline needed intervention.

On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, commended the Minister of Works and his team of officials for their efforts at rehabilitating the roads and bridges as he described them as very important for economic development.

He also disclosed that the government will put in efforts to ensure adequate funding for all projects adding that its projected increased revenue of 77 per cent would increase finance for infrastructure development.

Edun said, “What we are targeting and working towards is a 77% increase in internally generated revenue for the Federal Government. So that is where the funding particularly is going to come from.”

Meanwhile, during the inspection tour, the works minister upon citing those cooking under the Carter Bridge, ordered that security be mobilised to stop the menace, adding that they be relocated immediately to avoid any serious damage to the health of the bridge.

In continuation of the inspection of federal road projects in Lagos, the two ministers also visited the Lagos – Calabar coastal highway and met with the contractor to review the progress work on the project.

The project, when completed, is expected to go through the shoreline linking Lagos with Calabar.