Third Mainland Bridge: Repair to Cost ₦3.6 Trillion, Rebuild ₦3.8 Trillion— Umahi.

Third Mainland Bridge: Repair to Cost ₦3.6 Trillion, Rebuild ₦3.8 Trillion— Umahi.

—–Minister of Works warns of severe underwater damage to Lagos’ busiest bridge as FEC approves PPP bids, new Carter Bridge, and nationwide emergency repairs.

The Federal Government has disclosed that restoring Lagos’ iconic Third Mainland Bridge to full structural integrity will require an astronomical investment running into trillions of naira.

Speaking on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, revealed that recent technical assessments show the bridge has suffered extensive damage over the decades, particularly below the waterline.

According to him, the cost estimate for structural rehabilitation stands at approximately ₦3.6 trillion, while the option of constructing a completely new bridge would require about ₦3.8 trillion.

“The underwater and structural investigations revealed severe deterioration caused by years of illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion,” Umahi said. “We have secured approval for at least seven specialist engineering contractors to conduct more detailed assessments, prepare designs, and submit bids for both rehabilitation and fresh construction under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus Financing) arrangement.”

Underwater Damage ‘Worse Than Expected’

Umahi explained that the findings show alarming levels of damage to the piles and piers that form the bridge’s foundation. He warned that human activities and decades of neglect have significantly undermined the bridge’s substructure, making urgent intervention inevitable.

Interestingly, while rehabilitation costs appear slightly lower than rebuilding, the minister noted that each option comes with its own technical and financial challenges.

“If we opt for rehabilitation, it requires highly specialised engineering and massive funding. A new build is marginally costlier but may provide a more sustainable long-term solution,” he said.

Carter Bridge Declared Beyond Repair

The Minister also disclosed similar assessments for the Carter Bridge in Lagos, which engineers have deemed beyond economic repair. Construction giant Julius Berger has recommended a complete rebuild at an estimated cost of ₦359 billion.

The FEC has given the green light for the advertisement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) bids and discussions with international lenders, including Deutsche Bank, to secure financing.

Nationwide Bridge Interventions Approved

Beyond Lagos, Umahi announced that FEC has also approved emergency interventions for several other bridges across the country that have suffered structural damage. States to benefit from this phase of works include Taraba, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Lagos.

“These urgent works will be fully documented and forwarded to the President for approval so that we can move swiftly to prevent further deterioration,” Umahi stated.

Massive Road Projects Also in the Pipeline

In a related development, the Council approved the allocation of ₦493 billion for major road projects, including:

Upgrading of the Kano–Katsina Road (152km)

Construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos

Costs for the Kano–Katsina Road have risen sharply, with Section One now priced at ₦68 billion and Section Two at ₦66.115 billion, reflecting inflation and other economic factors.

Funding Challenge and Partnership Approach

Umahi stressed that the magnitude of these projects far exceeds what the federal budget alone can shoulder.

“We are aggressively pursuing partnerships that will attract private capital into these critical infrastructure projects. While funding will be private-led, the government will retain full oversight to guarantee quality and ensure national interest is protected,” he assured.

A Race Against Time

The Third Mainland Bridge, built in phases between 1980 and 1990, is Africa’s longest bridge and a lifeline for millions of Lagos commuters daily. Any prolonged closure for repairs or reconstruction could have far-reaching implications for traffic, commerce, and the economy of Nigeria’s commercial capital.

With these revelations, all eyes will now be on the Federal Government’s next steps — whether to repair or rebuild — and on how quickly financing can be secured for what is set to be one of Nigeria’s most expensive single infrastructure projects in history.

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