…Says equipment worth 1.2 million Euros ‘ll be imported to revamp Eko bridge
By Dele Ogbodo
Minister of Works Engr. David Nweze Umahi, over the weekend, undertook a holistic working visit to Third Mainland even as he pledged that to resuscitate the deflection in conformity to global standard.
Umahi, who was accompanied on the strategic inspection with some Directors and Contractors pointed out the Third Mainland Bridge which was built in two sections 60 years ago by an Italian Company and Julius Berger.
The other bridges inspected include: Carter, Falomo, Iddo, Eko, Marina and Iganmu in Lagos State.
According to him, the reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from and the State Government especially when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office.
The Minister said due to the technicality of the job on Eko bridge where the bridge deck would be open, equipment worth 1.2 million Euros would be imported into the country to be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge.
He commended the last administration’s work on the bridge even as he explained that the bridge suffered two problems, adding: “Eko Bridge suffered two problems such as lack of maintenance, and the bearings eating up, lots of the pair gaps have serious issues but the last administration did a very good and wonderful work.”
“Work is ongoing, it will finish in 2024 because we are pushing for increase in the number of workers and equipment to site, they are doing a beautiful work.”
Umahi said “Without Eko Bridge, we will not have any truck coming into Island so that is our saviour.”
Umahi, thanked President Tinubu and the National Assembly for their foresight at Infrastructure upgrade in Lagos State because of the State’s strategic status being the financial capital of the country.
According to the Minister, Lagos State has lots of national infrastructure that tremendously add to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) therefore it cannot be neglected.
On the President’s victory at the Supreme Court, he congratulated him and his Vice, Kashim Shettima, urging the duo to put the nation ahead of all interest and the region.