The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says structural rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will cost more than ₦3 trillion.
Speaking after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Umahi revealed that underwater and structural assessments showed severe damage from illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion.
He said rehabilitation is estimated at ₦3.8 trillion, while building a new bridge would cost about ₦3.6 trillion. Seven specialist contractors have been approved to carry out detailed investigations and designs under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing) arrangement.
Umahi noted that similar inspections on the Carter Bridge showed it was beyond repair, with Julius Berger recommending full replacement at a cost of ₦359 billion.
The government plans to solicit bids for public-private partnerships and is in discussions with international lenders, including Deutsche Bank.
The Third Mainland Bridge, inaugurated in 1990, is Nigeria’s longest bridge and a critical link for Lagos’ 20 million residents. Decades of neglect and human activities have worsened its substructure damage.
FEC also approved emergency works on other damaged bridges across Nigeria, including those in Taraba, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Lagos, and the Abuja–Kogi corridor.
