Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has said that equipment worth one point two million Euros (€1.2m) would be imported into the country to be used in maintaining some parts of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Assistant Director (Information), Press and Public Relations unit of the Federal Ministry of Works, Clement Ezeorah disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Ezeorah said the Minister, during a working visit to Third Mainland, Carter, Falomo, Iddo, Eko, Marina and Iganmu Bridges in Lagos State inspected the bridges alongside some Directors in the Ministry with contractors on Saturday 28th October, 2023.
Umahi, while briefing the Press, pointed out problems on the Third Mainland Bridge which was built in two sections Sixty years ago by an Italian Company and Julius Berger.
He said the reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from the State Government especially when President Bola Tinubu was in office.
The Minister said due to the technicality of the job on Eko Bridge where the Bridge deck would be open, equipment worth one point two million Euros would be imported into the Country that would be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge.
He commended the last administration’s work on the bridge, however, the bridge suffered two problems, “Eko Bridge suffered two problems such as lack of maintenance, and the bearings eating up, lots of the pair gaps have serious issues but the last administration did a very good and wonderful work.
“Work is ongoing, it will finish in 2024 because we are pushing for increase in the number of workers and equipment to site, they are doing a beautiful work.
“Without Eko Bridge, we will not have any truck coming into the Island so that is our saviour”, Umahi said.
He thanked the President and the National Assembly for looking at Infrastructure strategically in Lagos State, the financial capital of the country which had lots of national infrastructure that tremendously add to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
