Lagos: The Federal Government has finalized the cost for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, reducing the initial estimate from N27 billion to N17 billion. This announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, during an inspection of the damaged bridge.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umahi shared that the cost negotiation was achieved through discussions with Julius Berger Nig. Plc., the company responsible for the project. He praised the company’s new leadership for its cooperative approach, which he described as a “born-again Berger.”
The minister emphasized the government’s dedication to efficient spending and insisted on strict adherence to the ministry’s standards by all contractors. He noted that the project scope had been expanded from merely rehabilitating the damaged section to a comprehensive overhaul.
Umahi expressed concern about the deterioration of the bridge, attributing it to prolonged neglect and misuse, including illegal settlements and damage from heavy-duty vehicles. The bridge sustained significant damage due to a fire, which destroyed three spans. The fire was reportedly caused by illegal occupants who had established makeshift homes beneath the bridge.
The minister disclosed plans to raise the bridge’s headroom to at least 5.6 meters to prevent further structural damage. He assured that the Federal Ministry of Works is committed to restoring the bridge’s safety and preventing similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, he made it clear that displaced individuals would not be allowed to return to the area under the bridge, emphasizing the importance of public safety over illegal occupation.
Umahi also warned against any future misuse of national infrastructure, reaffirming the government’s stance on maintaining the integrity and safety of such structures.