The federal government has approved N17 billion for the rehabilitation of the fire-damaged Iddo Bridge in Lagos, following a downward review from the initial N27 billion proposal due to cost-efficiency concerns and project rescoping.
The minister of Works, David Umahi, while assessing the level of damage, at the weekend in Lagos, said, the Iddo bridge required a full-scale reconstruction due to the extent of the damage.
In addition to the fire damage, he said, the bridge had suffered from years of neglect, frequent collisions by heavy-duty vehicles, and general structural abuse.
He noted that headroom beneath the bridge was about 4.5 metres, while stating that, to prevent future impact damage from trucks, the ministry of Works planned to raise the clearance to at least 5.6 metres.
The federal government also ruled out any return of informal settlers beneath the bridge, citing safety and structural preservation.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to delivering durable infrastructure that meets safety standards and offers long-term value.
He revealed that the reduction came after extensive negotiations with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project.
He affirmed that the federal government has successfully negotiated the cost of the Iddo Bridge rehabilitation from an initial N27 billion to N17 billion.
Umahi stressed that, “Julius Berger quoted, I think, N27 billion or thereabout, but after much negotiation and discussion, we have now arrived at N17billion.”
He commended the company for its improved cooperation under new leadership, noting that the successful cost reduction was made possible by a more open and flexible negotiation process.
The Iddo Bridge sustained extensive structural damage following a fire incident traced to illegal occupants who had constructed makeshift shelters beneath the structure. The fire, reportedly caused by the storage of chemicals and open flames, compromised three major spans of the bridge.
In recent months, the federal government has terminated several contracts with construction firms over pricing disagreements. Notably, in November 2024, the ministry of Works terminated the N740 billion contract with Julius Berger for Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway spanning the FCT, Kaduna, and Kano States.
