During a visit to inspect key infrastructural projects in Lagos State, Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, urged the National Assembly to declare a state of emergency on the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges in Lagos State to enable swift repairs and prevent potential disasters.
Accompanying Umahi on the inspection were members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works who were conducting oversight functions in Lagos State.
Umahi emphasized the need for urgent action and special attention from lawmakers to address the deteriorating condition of the bridges, highlighting the necessity for specialized underwater repairs.
He pointed out that currently, only the Second Mainland Bridge (Eko Bridge) is able to accommodate heavy vehicles, as the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges are facing critical infrastructural challenges.
“The critical underwater challenges on the Third Mainland Bridge include slab deflection, which is being addressed similarly to the repairs carried out on the Eko Bridge,” Umahi stated, underscoring the ongoing deterioration of the piers and pier caps that require immediate attention.
Umahi estimated the rehabilitation cost of the Third Mainland Bridge to be N21 billion, warning that delays in the rehabilitation process could escalate the reconstruction cost to N6 trillion.
He attributed the deterioration of the bridges to factors like illegal sand mining, natural underwater currents, and the corrosion of the steel casings of the bridge pillars.
The Minister highlighted that the Carter Bridge was also grappling with similar challenges and disclosed that Julius Berger Nigeria PLC had been mobilized with N7 billion for work on the Carter Bridge and N6 billion for the Third Mainland Bridge just a week ago.
In response to Umahi’s observations, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works, echoed the need for urgent intervention and called for the support of the National Assembly.