The Federal Government says rehabilitating the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos could cost as much as N3.8 trillion, more than building a brand-new replacement at N3.6 trillion.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the disclosure after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi explained that fresh inspections uncovered extensive damage to the 11.8-kilometre bridge’s substructure, including its supporting piles and piers, largely caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion.
The findings, he said, forced a drastic upward review of the initial N21 billion repair estimate approved earlier this year.
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“We have secured approval for at least seven specialist contractors to conduct detailed investigations, designs, and competitive bids for both rehabilitation and possible new construction under an EPC+F [Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing] arrangement,” Umahi stated.
He warned that delaying action could pose serious safety risks, stressing that the engineering and financial demands will be massive whether the bridge is fixed or rebuilt.
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