The Federal Government has said it requires about N12 billion in emergency funding to prevent the Eko Bridge in Lagos State from collapsing.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Lagos. He said the request for intervention funds had been forwarded through the appropriate channels and that he would meet President Bola Tinubu next week to seek approval for the release of the funds.
According to Umahi, the emergency intervention is part of a broader effort to restore the bridge and address years of structural deterioration caused by illegal activities and heavy usage.
He revealed that underwater repairs, replacement of bridge bearings and other critical rehabilitation works are already underway under an existing contract valued at about N18 billion.
“The immediate intervention is going to cost about N12 billion. We have sent it to PPP, and by next week I will be seeing Mr President for intervention funds to restore that bridge,” he said.
The minister noted that rehabilitation work on the bridge is progressing steadily, with the ministry adopting T-beam technology instead of conventional concrete beams to speed up construction while maintaining safety and quality standards.
Umahi expressed confidence that the rehabilitation of the Eko Bridge would be completed before the end of the year.
He blamed part of the damage to the bridge on illegal trading activities beneath the structure, which previously caused a fire incident, repeated collisions involving over-height trucks and illegal sand dredging around the bridge.
The minister directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos to establish a task force to stop illegal occupation beneath bridges and prevent abandoned trucks from parking on bridge structures.
Umahi also announced that mobilisation for the construction of the new Carter Bridge would begin this month, with physical construction expected to commence next week. He said the new bridge would feature two 105-metre navigation spans and a modern cable-supported design to enhance water transportation and meet international engineering standards.