Umahi Unveils Staggering N3.6trn Plan To Revamp Third Mainland Bridge

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that restoring the structural integrity of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State could cost approximately ₦3.6 trillion.

The minister revealed that recent inspections uncovered severe underwater deterioration of the bridge’s supporting piles and piers, largely caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion, posing a significant threat to its safety.

Briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, Umahi explained that the estimated cost for rehabilitation has now increased to ₦3.8 trillion, while building a completely new bridge would be slightly cheaper at around ₦3.6 trillion.

He noted that at least seven specialist contractors have received approval to conduct detailed investigations, designs, and bids for both rehabilitation and potential new construction under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) arrangement.

According to Ireporter Online, the minister stressed that decades of neglect, coupled with damaging human activities, have weakened the bridge’s foundation, making urgent action inevitable.

He emphasised that whichever option the government chooses—rehabilitation or complete reconstruction—the resources and engineering expertise required will be immense.

The FEC has also approved urgent repair works on other bridges nationwide, including the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge damaged by fire, the Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a bridge along the Abuja–Kogi road, multiple bridges on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor impacted by vehicular collisions, the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.

According to Ireporter Online, these emergency projects will be formally documented and submitted to the President for approval through the Ministry of Finance.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”