BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
In line with President Bola Tinubu's commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the safety of Nigerians, the Federal Government has pegged the ongoing construction of new Carter Bridge in Lagos at N545 billion.
Part of the new Carter Bridge will feature a world-class cable-stayed design to improve navigation and add aesthetic value to Lagos.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi stated this at the hand over of construction of Carter Bridge to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The project, expected to last for 36 months, will be financed through a combination of Federal Government counterpart funding and external borrowing, with 30 percent to be paid by the Federal Government and 70 percent sourced externally.
Umahi said that the decision to reconstruct the bridge became necessary after years of alarming structural investigations revealed worsening defects beneath both the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
According to the minister, investigations into the underwater structural elements of the bridges began as far back as 2013, with another assessment carried out in 2019.
He said the report showed that the defects were increasing at what experts described as 'geometrical progression.'
"The past administration commissioned investigation of what was happening with the structural elements below the water, and that was in 2013. And the very disturbing defects were noticed in Carter Bridge and 3rd Mainland Bridge," Umahi stated.
He explained that upon assumption of office, the present administration immediately engaged geologists and specialist divers to conduct further underwater investigations, which confirmed that some piles supporting the bridges had already shifted from their pile caps.
Umahi informed that extensive consultations were held with bridge experts, stakeholders and members of the National Assembly, including foreign professionals, to determine the best solution.
He noted that experts advised that repairing the Carter Bridge would cost almost twice the amount required to build a completely new structure, adding that following detailed technical analysis, the Federal Government approved the construction of a new modern bridge.
The minister praised President Tinubu's bold leadership and commitment to infrastructure renewal across the country.
Umahi stated that due process was strictly followed in selecting the contractor, adding that seven firms were invited while six submitted bids, including Julius Berger.
He hinted that CCECC emerged as the most technically and commercially viable company.
"The CCECC was technically and commercially most viable. And that’s why the BPP recommended them and the Federal Executive Council awarded the project to them," he said.
Umahi directed the company to immediately mobilise to site while assuring Nigerians that the ministry would closely monitor the project monthly to ensure compliance with all technical and safety standards.
To this end, the minister announced an emergency closure of one carriageway of the Eko Bridge on following severe structural damage caused by illegal sand miners.
He disclosed that illegal dredging activities around the bridge led to the destruction of several supporting piles after miners struck one of the pile caps with a barge.
"When they knocked the pile cap, they broke three piles. And when they were trying to remove the barge, they broke another two," he said.
Umahi explained that the damage weakened a section of the bridge, resulting in dangerous cracks and structural instability that could threaten lives if urgent action is not taken.
As a precautionary measure, he directed that one full carriageway of the Eko Bridge be shut down by midnight of Sunday, May 10, 2026, while the unaffected carriageway remains open to traffic.
"We will not allow people to endanger their lives. We are a responsible administration," the minister said.
He further that the Federal Government has already designed an emergency technical solution involving the lifting of an entire bridge span to expose and repair the damaged sections beneath.
According to him, Buildwell Construction, which has extensive experience handling bridge lifting operations on the Eko Bridge, will execute the emergency repairs alongside underwater structural investigations by specialist divers.
The minister assured Lagosians that President Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and directed that the matter be treated as an emergency.
"President said I must be in Lagos to examine it and then treat it as an emergency situation. And that is what we are doing," Umahi stated.
He appealed for patience and understanding from residents, assuring Nigerians that the administration remains fully committed to protecting lives and preserving vital national infrastructure.
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