The Federal Government has disclosed that it will require a staggering ₦3.8 trillion to repair the extensive damage suffered by the iconic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. According to him, severe underwater damage caused by years of sand mining, erosion, and corrosion has weakened the structural integrity of the bridge, which is Africa’s second-longest.
Umahi said FEC has approved the engagement of specialist contractors to carry out a comprehensive underwater investigation and produce detailed designs for either a full-scale rehabilitation or outright reconstruction of the bridge. The project, he noted, would be undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement due to its huge financial implications.
The minister added that similar structural assessments and repair works are being planned for other major bridges across the country, as decades of neglect and environmental impact have taken a toll on critical infrastructure.
The Third Mainland Bridge, inaugurated in 1990, remains a vital link between Lagos Island and the mainland, serving hundreds of thousands of commuters daily.