By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has allayed the fear of road users in Lagos about the integrity of the Third Mainland bridge, Eko and Carter bridges, saying “there is no need to worry.”
This was contained was in a statement signed and issued by Director, Information Olusola Abiola.
Explaining the work to be done, he said “Some of the elements which are defective are going to be fixed. But there’s nothing to worry about. We are going to reinstate those defective slabs with the new the design.”
Speaking to journalists Wednesday after the joint assessment tour of the three bridges in company of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister explained that “over the years, after the construction of the bridge, there was no serious maintenance,” He therefore assured that the failure of the bridge would be addressed. “So, we are working on the problems about the bridges.”
On the state of the Lagos shoreline, Sen. Umahi stressed that the shore protection on the marina needs urgent attention, noting that the Lagos railway project, the blue line might be threatened if nothing is done to address the matter.
At the end of the exercise in Lagos, the Ministers who agreed there was need for rehabilitation work to be carried out, noting that the impact created by the current of water under the bridges and on the shoreline need intervention.
On the ongoing rehabilitation of the third mainland bridges, the Minister revealed that some comprehensive works would be done especially in area of provision of street lights on and under the bridge and installation of CCTV. While praising the work being done by the Contractor, he assured that the bridge would be opened to road users soon.
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun commended the Minister of Works and his team of officials for their efforts at rehabilitating the roads and bridges as he described them as very important for economic development.
