From ₦21B to ₦3.8 Trillion — The Mind-Blowing Cost of Fixing the Third Mainland Bridge

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has warned that the Third Mainland Bridge is in urgent need of major repairs or full reconstruction, estimating rehabilitation at ₦3.8 trillion and reconstruction at ₦3.6 trillion.

Speaking at a recent Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Umahi revealed that underwater structural damage has made intervention unavoidable. The council also approved ₦493 billion for two major projects — ₦359 billion for the reconstruction of Lagos’ 11.8 km Carter Bridge, which has been declared beyond repair, and ₦134 billion for the upgrade of the 152 km Kano–Katsina Road, whose costs have risen due to economic factors.

Last week, the Federal Government ordered the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge to heavy-duty vehicles. Umahi noted, “Among other emergency works in Lagos, we are holding very deep discussions on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge.”

Earlier this year, the government had estimated the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland and Carter bridges at ₦21 billion and ₦25 billion respectively a stark contrast to the latest projections.