The Federal Government has revealed that restoring the structural integrity of Lagos State’s Third Mainland Bridge could cost about ₦3.8 trillion, warning that years of underwater deterioration now threaten Nigeria’s busiest bridge.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the disclosure on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja. He said recent technical inspections uncovered severe damage to the bridge’s supporting piles and piers—damage largely caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion.
According to Umahi, the updated rehabilitation cost has risen from earlier projections to ₦3.8 trillion, while building an entirely new bridge would be slightly cheaper at about ₦3.6 trillion.
“We have approval for at least seven specialist contractors to carry out detailed investigations, designs, and bids for both rehabilitation and new construction under an EPC+F [Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing] arrangement,” Umahi stated.
The minister, who is the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, compared the findings to earlier assessments of Lagos’ Carter Bridge. He recalled that engineering firm Julius Berger had declared the Carter Bridge beyond repair, recommending its replacement at an estimated ₦359 billion.
As part of FEC’s resolutions, the government plans to advertise public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities for both the Third Mainland and Carter Bridge projects, while engaging international financiers such as Deutsche Bank for funding.
“The underwater problems are compounded by decades of neglect and human activities that have undermined the bridge’s foundations. We cannot delay. Whether we rehabilitate or rebuild, the resources and engineering expertise required will be enormous,” Umahi warned.
He further disclosed that FEC approved urgent repairs for other critical bridges nationwide, including the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge (damaged by fire), Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a bridge along the Abuja–Kogi road, several bridges on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway damaged by vehicular impact, the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.
“These emergency works will be documented and forwarded to the President for approval through the Ministry of Finance,” he added.
Opened in 1990, the Third Mainland Bridge remains Nigeria’s longest bridge and a vital transport artery for Lagos’ roughly 20 million residents. While it has undergone periodic maintenance, Umahi said the latest inspections revealed substructure damage far worse than previously reported.
Source: X | @DOlusegun
