FG earmarks N270bn for nation’s bridges

The Federal Government yesterday said it planned to spend N270 billion for the restoration of derelict bridges across the nation in the next three years.

According to Minister of Power, Work and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, government has started the project with the commitment of between N100 billion and N170 billion in the first phase, saying that it would start with most critical bridges nationwide.

Disclosing this during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation of one of the misalignment joints of Lagos ring road bridge abutment and approach ramp to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, Fashola decried the sorry state of the nation’s bridges, saying that many of them, constructed more than 40 years ago, were left without repairs and maintenance.

The minister was accompanied by the Federal Controller of Work, Mr. Godwin Eke and Joint Managing Director, Borini Prono Construction Company, Mr. Gianfranco, Albertazzi.

Lack of routine maintenance of the bridges and their derelict nature, Fashola said have constituted serious danger to motorists and commuters, adding that they might collapse if necessary actions were not taken now.

He said: “Many of the bridges in the country constructed more than 40 years ago were not maintained nor repaired.

Just like we did to Jaji Bridge and Tekoa Bridge and also look at Ijora Bridge; we intend to change the face of these bridges. We now have three years plan for maintenance.

“We now have government that is running with plan. We have surveyed all the bridges. They are assets and we need to restore them.”

On the misalignment of one of the joints of the Third Mainland Bridge, Fashola said the contract was awarded years back to Borini Prono Construction Company, when there was an indication of misalignment on the Lagos outer part of the bridge, but could not be completed due to lack of funds.

The misalignment, he said pushed one of bridge’s columns, causing friction.

According to the minister, the problem with the column was caused by erosion and flood around the section of the bridge, causing it to shift.

On abuse of the bridge, Fashola warned that some of those leaving or squatting under the bridge, especially at Ebute Ero, must desist from doing so to have value for money.