The Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Lagos State government, initiated the Emergency Repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday. During the flag-off ceremony, Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, and Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, announced that the emergency rehabilitation would incur a cost of over N21.074 billion. The sum includes an expanded scope of work, incorporating the complete replacement of the bridge deck asphalt to a standard two inches for smoother and safer motoring.
Umahi highlighted the significance of the project in realising President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for infrastructure in Nigeria. He emphasised the need for comprehensive repairs to address all concerns and enhance the bridge’s integrity. As a special feature, spikes will be added to the guard railings to deter suicide attempts on the bridge. Umahi assured that the repairs on the four ramps of Adekunle/Adeniji would be completed by December 13, with main carriageway maintenance commencing in January 2024.
Deputy Governor Hamzat thanked President Tinubu for prioritising the maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge and other infrastructure in Lagos. He expressed confidence in Umahi’s ability to replicate his successful infrastructure achievements as the former governor of Ebonyi. Hamzat urged Lagos residents to endure the minimal discomfort caused by the repairs, emphasizing the overall benefit to the public.
In addition to the bridge repairs, Umahi and Hamzat visited the starting point of the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Umahi noted that the project, a Public Private Partnership, would enhance interconnectivity and promote tourism, job creation, and infrastructure development. Hamzat reassured that the Right of Way (RoW) for the project had been recovered by the state government. He appealed to residents not to build or buy land along the project alignment to avoid planning infractions.
The Minister’s entourage included key officials such as the Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, Director of Highways, Bridges, and Designs, Mr. Omotayo Awosanya, and the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, among others. The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola, and other top directors of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
