The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that rehabilitating the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will cost ₦3.8 trillion, while a full rebuild would require ₦3.6 trillion. Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Umahi said underwater and structural assessments revealed severe damage from illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion.
According to him, seven specialist contractors have been approved to conduct detailed investigations, designs, and bids under an EPC+F arrangement. Similar assessments on the Carter Bridge found it beyond repair, with replacement estimated at ₦359 billion.
The government will advertise public-private partnership bids and engage international lenders, including Deutsche Bank, for financing. Umahi noted that the Third Mainland Bridge, commissioned in 1990, is Nigeria’s longest and a vital transport link for Lagos’ 20 million residents.
FEC also approved emergency works on several other damaged bridges nationwide and allocated ₦493 billion for the Kano–Katsina Road upgrade and a new Carter Bridge. Umahi emphasised that large-scale infrastructure projects will rely on PPPs to reduce budgetary strain while ensuring government oversight and quality control.
Source: https://guardian.ng/
