62YRS OLD THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE: REPAIR WORKS TO BE COMPLETED 2024

3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos

"The reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from and the State Government especially when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office." Umahi

"Due to the technicality of the job on the Eko Bridge where the Bridge deck would be opened, equipment worth €1.2m Euros would be imported into the country that would be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge."

Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has lack of maintenance on the popular Eko bridge as some of the major reasons for its present status.

Umahi who is in Lagos on a working visit to inspect Federal Governments' infrastructure in the nation's financial capital, toured the Third Mainland, Carter, Falomo, Iddo, Eko, Marina and Iganmu Bridges in Lagos State.

The inspection visit saw the the Honourable Minister alongside some Directors in the Ministry and contractors took place on Saturday 28th, October 2023.

Umahi, while briefing Journalists at the sites visited, pointed out problems on the Third Mainland Bridge which was built in two sections 62 years ago by an Italian Company and Julius Berger.

The Minister, in a statement signed by Clement Ezeorah, Assistant Director, Information of the Press and Public Relations Department, said "the reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from and the State Government especially when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office.

"Due to the technicality of the job on the Eko Bridge where the Bridge deck would be opened, equipment worth €1.2m Euros would be imported into the country that would be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge." He said.

He commended the last administration's work on the bridge, stating that the bridge suffered two problems. "Eko Bridge suffered two problems such as lack of maintenance, and the bearings eating up, lots of the pier gaps have serious issues but the last administration did a very good and wonderful work."

"Work is on going, it will finish in 2024 because we are pushing for increase in the number of workers and equipment to site, they are doing a beautiful work." 

"Without Eko Bridge, we will not have any truck coming into Island so, that is our saviour."

Engr. Umahi thanked the President and the National Assembly for looking at Infrastructure, strategically,a in Lagos  State, the financial capital of the country which has lots of national infrastructure  that tremendously add to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) therefore it cannot be neglected. He added.

The Works Minister congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice Kashim Shettima on their victory at the supreme court and urged the  leaders in the country to put the nation ahead of all interest and the region.