By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Works, David Umahi has expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of underwater works done on the 3rd Mainland bridge and Carter bridge handled by Julius Berger Plc as well as Eko bridge and Independence bridge handled by Buildwell Nig Ltd.
He stated this recently when he inspected the substructure and other underwater elements of Third Mainland bridge, Eko bridge, Carter bridge and Independence bridge to assess the structural integrity of some of the structures as well as appraise the progress of work on the bridge elements whose maintenance has been generously commenced by the Renewed Hope administration of the President.
A statement yesterday by Hon Barr Orji Uchenna OrjiSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, said the minister commended the contractors for the milestone completion recorded by them but frowned at the continued tampering of the underwater piers and pile caps of the bridges by people despite warnings.
He made particular reference to the most recent case of a ship that capsized at Eko bridge waterway, hit and destroyed the underwater pier and pile cap of the bridge, thereby causing a big threat to the structure of the bridge.
He also made mention of unlawful dredging going on in the waterways of 3rd Mainland bridge where the dredger destroyed the pile cap of the bridge.
“We have inspected the 3rd Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge handled by Julius Berger to know what is happening below the deck, and we are satisfied with the work they’re doing. I can say that the work on the 3rd Mainland Bridge is about 50 percent completed, and that of Carter Bridge is about 70 percent completed. We didn’t visit Iddo Bridge because it’s a small work, and it’s not as dangerous as what is happening under the deck of Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge. Part of Julius Berger’s work is to reinstate the deflected slab in the 3rd Mainland bridge. “We don’t have deflection in Carter bridge and this is the reason why we closed the 3rd Mainland bridge against big trucks, and so they ( contractors) are insisting that they have a new design to tackle that because it’s a very delicate work and they want our designers to go with them to Germany and look at the new design and then give approval, and so I’ve approved for that to happen.”
