The Federal Government has announced that an estimated N3.8 trillion will be required to rehabilitate the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos after recent findings revealed extensive underwater structural damage.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Umahi explained that underwater inspections carried out in 2013 and 2019 on both the Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge revealed serious damage to their substructures, largely due to illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion affecting the piles and piers.
“For the Third Mainland Bridge, when we did a pro rata of what is to be done, if we are to rehabilitate, it came to about N3.8 trillion and if we are to do a new construction, it came to about N3.6 trillion,” he said.
The minister noted that the rehabilitation plan is part of a series of emergency measures already implemented for bridges across the nation.
He added that the ministry sought FEC’s approval to proceed under the EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) framework, which would allow no fewer than seven specialist contractors to conduct thorough investigations, prepare detailed designs, and bid for either a full reconstruction or rehabilitation of the affected bridges.
Umahi further stated that the council gave the green light to advertise for public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities, enabling private investors to participate in the rehabilitation efforts.
The approvals also cover other major bridge projects, including work on the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, the Ido Bridge in Oyo State—which was damaged by fire and needs the removal of three spans—the Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, and a damaged bridge along the Abuja–Kogi road.
He added that further inspections would be carried out on the bridges between Lagos and Ibadan, the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.
“These emergency works will be articulated and forwarded to Mr. President for approval through the minister of finance,” Umahi stated.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the council approved N493 billion for two major projects—the upgrade of the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State.
What you should know
David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, announced that rehabilitating the Third Mainland Bridge could cost N3.8 trillion, citing severe underwater structural damage from erosion, illegal sand mining, and corrosion.
The Federal Executive Council has approved steps to engage multiple specialist contractors and open the project to public-private partnerships, alongside other significant bridge and road infrastructure upgrades nationwide.
