By Elizabeth Adegbesan

Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, has said the completion of rehabilitation works on Third Mainland Bridge (phase one) was an indication that President Bola Tinubu was on the right track.

Speaking in Lagos while inspecting the three bridges linking Lagos Mainland with Victoria Island, Umahi stated that apart from rehabilitating the Third Mainland Bridge, the administration has carried out comprehensive repairs on Eko and Carter bridges in Lagos.

The former governor, who described the aesthetic markings and solar lights on the Oworonshoki end of the bridge as attractive, said the underwater aspects of the project were the most complicated and critical.
According to him, the underwater structural damage to the three bridges calls for concern.

Umahi who, however, expressed optimism that the Federal Government was equal to the task, also revealed that the contractor handling the Carter Bridge has been mobilised to the tune of N7 billion.

Also speaking, Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi; and the Chairman House Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi, called on President Bola Tinubu to declare state of emergency on the nation’s infrastructure, given the enormity of challenges on ground.

Alabi said: “I can actually attest alongside with my colleague what we saw on some critical infrastructure of the federal government. I want to tell you to call on the President of this country to declare a state of emergency on some of our critical infrastructure, especially on the real sector. Alongside Julius Berger, what we saw on the Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge was a decaying infrastructure.”

He said the situation calls for thinking outside the box, adding that the financial requirements needed to fix the country’s infrastructure was beyond the capacity of annual appropriations.

However, the duo assured that the National Assembly will do everything possible within the law to help fund the projects given their importance.