By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi said the Federal Government had spent nothing less than 7 billion naira to mobilise the contractor working on the Carter Bridge section of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Ben. Goong disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
According to the statement, the Minister made the announcement today in Lagos while on an inspection tour of the three Bridges linking Lagos Mainland with Victoria Island, including the on-going rehabilitation works on the first section of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
Describing the esthetics of markings and solar lights on the Oworonshoki end of the Bridge as beautiful and attractive, the Minister said the underwater aspects of the project remained the most complicated and critical, adding that the underwater structural damage to the three bridges calls for concern.
Engineer Umahi was however optimistic that the Tinubu administration is equal to the task and will confront the challenges head-on.
He revealed that the contractor handling the Carter Bridge had been mobilised to the tune of seven Billion Naira (N7b) a couple of days ago, adding that rehabilitation works would commence in the coming days.
The Minister added that, successful completion of Rehabilitation works on phase one of the 3rd Mainland Bridge was a clear indication that the Tinubu administration was on course not only to rehabilitate the 3rd Mainland Bridge but also to carry out comprehensive repairs on EKO and CARTER Bridges in Lagos in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Also speaking during the interview session with journalists, Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, and the Chairman House Committee on Works, Rt Hon. Akin Alabi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the Nation’s infrastructure, given the enormity of the challenges on ground.
The Chairmen said the situation calls for thinking outside the box, adding that the financial requirements needed to fix the Nation’s infrastructure is well beyond the capacity of Annual Appropriations.
The duo however assured that the National Assembly will do everything possible within the limits of the law to help fund the projects given their importance in the scheme of things in the Nation’s commercial nerve Centre.
Conducting the Minister around different sections of the 3rd Mainland Bridge, the Carter and EKO Bridges, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State Engineer O.I. Kesha told the Minister that the underwater damage to the three Bridges is far more colossal than anyone could imagine.
Engineer Kesha also took the Minister and members of his entourage to several sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and some sections of the Lagos- Ibadan Express way among other federal projects in Lagos State.
