The Minister of Works, David Umahi, after inspecting the three major bridges in Lagos—the Iddo, Carter, and Third Mainland bridges—said the federal government of Nigeria has planned to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) and solar lights on the Third Mainland Bridge by June to monitor and curb the activities of illegal miners.
While highlighting the contractors in charge, he started, “Berger is the contractor doing the Iddo Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge, and we have seen the pace of work made and are happy with it. Also, we have promised to increase the pace of work against the incoming lagoon tide in June.
“On top of the bridges, we have almost finished the deck job, though we are extending the deck job, and then we are also constructing CCTV and observation room. Then, below the deck, we work on the piers and see the pier caps. These are the works that are going on under the deck.”
Umahi further stated that the federal government’s efforts to address illegal mining activities have damaged the pile.
He added, “We are working on several bridges we inherited; we inherited construction work on Eko Bridge, Marina Bridge, Liverpool Bridge, Iganmu Bridge, and Independence Bridge, all done by Buildwell.”
Umahi also mentioned that there will be a closed-door meeting with Julius Berger to investigate the challenges surrounding the pier caps and the deck beds and design a remedy to prevent collapse.
He further emphasized that the cameras/solar system installation will be ready by June 2024.
He added, “There is no solar on Carter Bridge yet, but we would like to do what is being done on Third Mainland Bridge on Carter Bridge, and as much as budgetary provisions would allow, a lot of the bridges in Lagos need attention, not just in Lagos, all over the country, of which I would give attention to.”
