Minister of works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has allayed the fear of road users in Lagos about the integrity of the Third Mainland Bridge, Eko and Carter bridges, saying “there is no need to worry.”
Umahi gave the assurance yesterday after the joint assessment tour of the three bridges in company of the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun.
He said, “Over the years, after the construction of the bridge, there was no serious maintenance,”
In a statement by the ministry’s director information, Olusola Abiola, the minister said, “Some of the elements which are defective are going to be fixed. But there’s nothing to worry about. We are going to reinstate those defective slabs with the new design.”
He said the failure of the bridge would be addressed, adding that “we are working on the problems about the bridges.”
On the ongoing rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge, the minister said some comprehensive works would be done, especially in the provision of street lights on and under the bridge and the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).
While praising the work being done by the Contractor, he assured that the bridge would be opened to road users soon.The minister also ordered that security be mobilised to stop the menace of people cooking under the Carter bridge, adding that they be relocated immediately to avoid any serious damage to the health of the bridge.
On his part, Edun commended Umahi and his team of officials for their efforts at rehabilitating the roads and bridges as he described them as very important for economic development.
He said the federal government was looking for how to raise revenue to finance infrastructure, pointing out that “what we are targeting and working towards is a 77 percent increase in internally-generated income. So, that is where the funding particularly is going to come from.”
