₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government is planning to commit about ₦30 billion to emergency and long-term repairs aimed at preventing the collapse of the ageing Eko Bridge in Lagos, while also preparing to begin construction of a new Carter Bridge as part of broader efforts to modernise critical transport infrastructure in the commercial capital.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Lagos. He also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, dismissing critics as underestimating the complexity of governance.

Umahi said emergency stabilisation works had already begun on Eko Bridge following structural risks linked to illegal sand dredging, repeated collisions involving heavy-duty trucks, and fire damage caused by trading activities beneath the structure.

He explained that an immediate intervention estimated at ₦12 billion has been proposed for approval, while another ongoing contract valued at about ₦18 billion covers underwater repairs and the replacement of key structural components.

According to him, the combined interventions are aimed at safeguarding the bridge and ensuring its continued service while long-term reconstruction plans are being developed.

The immediate intervention is going to cost about ₦12 billion. We’ve sent it through the appropriate channels, and by next week, I will be meeting Mr President for intervention funds to restore that bridge,” Umahi said.

He explained that engineers had adopted alternative construction methods to accelerate rehabilitation works without compromising safety standards.

“To save time, we decided that instead of using concrete beams, we would use T-beams. Every stage of the construction will be closely monitored to ensure compliance with engineering designs and approved construction procedures,” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence that rehabilitation works on Eko Bridge would be completed before the end of the year.

He disclosed that part of the intervention includes excavating sections beneath the bridge and constructing reinforced concrete pavement to achieve the minimum engineering headroom requirement of 5.6 metres for heavy-duty trucks.

Umahi added that future bridge projects under the Ministry would adopt a higher clearance standard of 6.5 metres to accommodate larger vehicles and improve durability.

The Minister also directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos to establish a task force to address the illegal occupation of spaces beneath bridges and to prevent activities that could endanger public infrastructure.

On the proposed new Carter Bridge, Umahi announced that mobilisation for construction would commence this month, with site activities expected to begin on Monday.

He commended China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor handling the project, for demonstrating commitment by mobilising equipment and personnel even before receiving mobilisation funds.

“I am very impressed with what CCECC is doing. We have not even paid the mobilisation fee, but they have shown willingness to partner with the Federal Government and demonstrate capacity,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that the government would now proceed with processing the statutory 30 per cent mobilisation payment.

He also praised the project’s consultant, Advanced Engineering Consultant (AEC), for helping to resolve complex engineering and stakeholder issues that had threatened the bridge’s original alignment.

According to Umahi, technical reviews and consultations successfully addressed more than 80 per cent of the encumbrances affecting the project, including concerns relating to the vicinity of the Oba of Lagos’ Palace and other sensitive locations.

The new Carter Bridge, he said, would feature modern engineering designs, including two navigation spans of 105 metres each to enhance water transportation and marine activities along the corridor.

“We are bringing in modern road and bridge architecture. The bridge will have two 105-metre spans to aid navigation, and it will also feature a rope bridge. We must continue to develop forward, not backward,” he stated.

Director of Advanced Engineering Consultant, Olatinwo Alatinwo, said the bridge design had been significantly optimised following consultations with stakeholders.

He noted that the revised alignment minimises disruption to surrounding communities while creating a sustainable long-term transport solution.

According to him, the new bridge will provide a clearance height of 12 metres and feature navigation spans significantly wider than those on the existing structure.

“The new bridge takes care of both today’s demand and future demand,” he said.

CCECC Nigeria Limited Project Manager, Dang Yinan, assured the government of the company’s readiness to commence work immediately.

“Following Your Excellency’s directive and our mobilisation plan, we will begin accessing the site on Monday and do our best to deliver the project,” he said.

Umahi also used the occasion to highlight what he described as President Tinubu’s commitment to nationwide infrastructure development.

He revealed that the President had approved the release of funds for Section One of the Fourth Legacy Road Project, the 125-kilometre Agwanga–Jos corridor, while the Gombe–Biu Road project had been awarded and the design of the Gombe–Bauchi Road was underway.

The Minister dismissed claims by some political figures that they were better qualified to lead the country than Tinubu.

He argued that the President’s record, particularly during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, demonstrated exceptional leadership capacity and vision.

There are challenges, but leadership is about finding solutions. The courage to confront those challenges is what President Bola Tinubu continues to demonstrate,” Umahi said.

https://thenationonlineng.net/fg-plans-%E2%82%A630bn-intervention-for-eko-bridge-as-it-moves-to-reconstruct-carter-bridge-umahi/

yoooooowaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I can't remember when they did any kind of repairs on those bridges despite the thousands of vehicles plying them every day.

This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Umahi be MUMU...

You will repair all the bridges in Lagos to please TINUBU because , wike wants to use PDP to remove your boy in Ebonyi Government house.

Shameless weakling..

He is doing all this because WIKEs candidate in PDP is already gathering steam.

He is doing all this to be in the good books of TINUBU, just like the other losers without identity.

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Okoyeeboz:
I can't remember when they did any kind of repairs on those bridges despite the thousands of vehicles plying them every day.

then you definitely don’t stay in Lagos. Shut tha hell up

When President Tinubu’s Government executes projects outside of Lagos,
Some people would be mum. They have nothing to say.

But when there is a project concerning Lagos, it becomes problematic for them.

Here what Bloomberg is saying —


Nigeria’s revenue surged 49% in the first five months of the year, exceeding government projections as an overhaul of the tax system and new levies on industries including petroleum and mining boosted collections.

https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-18/nigeria-tax-revenue-surges-49-to-11-6-billion-on-reforms?

esnbrutality:
He is doing all this because WIKEs candidate in PDP is already gathering steam.

He is doing all this to be in the good books of TINUBU, just like the other losers without identity.

Unbeknownst to him, Tinubu is only concerned about Tinubu. He will throw anyone and everyone under the bus just to safeguard his own re-election. The members of the National Assembly have already found out

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Those bridges are FG properties not Lagos state owned properties.
Get knowledge before opening your mouth.

AMINDA:
Are there FG bridges in other states or not?

Are the federal bridges in other states are busy as the federal bridges in Lagos?
Are those bridges in the same condition as the bridges in Lagos?
Third mainland bridge makes the list of the busiest bridges in Africa hence the regular maintenance, do you have any FG bridge in any other state as busy as these bridges? Please mention 1, mention 1.

You want FG to go about spending money on bridges that need no repair just to make you happy?

How old are you again?

Sincerely Speaking......

I am deeply disappointed in the people that represent the SE and SS in the political sphere.

AMINDA:
Unbeknownst to him, Tinubu is only concerned about Tinubu. He will throw anyone and everyone under the bus just to safeguard his own re-election. The members of the National Assembly have already found out

Nice one from the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA.. when everybody dey pay tax to to carry out stuffs like this

Not tomorrow sb go say to another from the same federal republic to 'go back to your land'.. There should infact be a jail term for anybody that says this to another in the FEDERAL republic !

Tinubu just have to step aside, we Nigerians don't want him again.

Enough is enough!!?

Tinubu's Government is a Government of Lagos State.

The rest of Nigeria should manage.
The clueless GeJ should learn.

Exousiang01:
Those bridges are FG properties not Lagos state owned properties.
Get knowledge before opening your mouth.

Are there FG bridges in other states or not?

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Aminu, shebi you have collected amnesty for bandits and your Governors are building cemeteries for you.
Why you dey cry again?

Them just dey flirt with all the bridges in Lagos...

I've no problem with that but you guys should minimize the fraudulent aspect of this whole thing

AMINDA:
Are there FG bridges in other states or not?

Are those bridges dilapidated or not?

Ordinary bridge repair, Aminu here is having an epileptic fit.

You see the hypocrisy of arikua Atiku's boys?
When Daura without a single stream or river for Naval University, did you hear Northerners say anything?

Keep using bandits, Boko Haram, kidnappers etc to attract ransom to your region na..

30 Billion no wahala make una thief as much as una fit thief because this country is heading towards APC direction…..

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Lagos project touches more Nigerians than anywhere.


FACT BUT BITTER!

You can write to your family member in Lagos not to use the bridge because Lagos is not Nigeria.

AMINDA:
Unbeknownst to him, Tinubu is only concerned about Tinubu. He will throw anyone and everyone under the bus just to safeguard his own re-election. The members of the National Assembly have already found out

Is Atiku even concerned about you yourself?


You mean like Atiku threw 5 governors under the bus in 2023

Leave Tinubu and Wike alone.Emergency Lover of wike!

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

you may be right, but truth be told, that bridge is long overdue for repairs, make e no go fall for people head one day

AMINDA:
This is no way to govern a country. Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos alone.

Omo me sef tire o.....our whole budget going to lagos...lagos gets everything big for fg

ashawopikin:
you may be right, but truth be told, that bridge is long overdue for repairs, make e no go fall for people head one day

Its should be partnership....lagos state should use its money too.it has heavy allocation n very large internal revenue

Lagos Nigeria always but they will tell us it belongs to Yoruba alone after using our money to build it

Eko bridge that they fixed not long ago? ABI didn't Julius Berger do a good job? What are these people on about?