Minister Urges National Assembly to Declare Emergency on Lagos Bridges for Expedited Repairs
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, urged the National Assembly on Friday to declare a state of emergency on the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges in Lagos State to expedite their repairs and prevent potential disasters. Umahi made this declaration during a facility tour of key infrastructural projects in Lagos State, which was attended by members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works conducting joint oversight functions in the state.
Umahi emphasized the need for urgent and special attention from lawmakers to address the deterioration of the bridges, particularly highlighting the necessity for specialized underwater repairs. He noted that while the Second Mainland Bridge (Eko Bridge) could currently accommodate heavy vehicles, the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges faced critical infrastructural challenges.
“The Third Mainland Bridge is facing critical underwater challenges, including slab deflection and deterioration of piers, pier caps, and pier cap covers,” Umahi explained. “The contractor has been mobilized to commence work on these challenges, with the estimated cost of rehabilitation amounting to N21 billion.”
Umahi cautioned that if the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge was not promptly undertaken, reconstruction costs could escalate to N6 trillion. He attributed the deterioration of the bridges to factors such as illegal sand mining, natural underwater currents, and rusting of the steel casing of the bridge’s pillars.
Furthermore, Umahi highlighted similar challenges faced by the Carter Bridge and emphasized the urgent need for rehabilitation. “The cost of rehabilitating the Carter Bridge is estimated at N25 billion, and we have already mobilized the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, with N7 billion for Carter Bridge and N6 billion for the Third Mainland Bridge,” he added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, echoed Umahi’s concerns and called for the support of the National Assembly in addressing these pressing infrastructure issues.
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