The Federal Government has officially handed over the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen critical infrastructure and improve public safety.
The handover ceremony took place at Carter Bridge on Wednesday.
Speaking during the event, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, explained that the decision to rebuild the bridge followed years of structural investigations that uncovered worsening defects beneath both Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to Umahi, underwater assessments on the bridges first began in 2013, with another detailed investigation conducted in 2019. He said the reports showed that the structural defects had continued to deteriorate at what experts described as “geometrical progression”.
“The past administration commissioned an investigation of what was happening with the structural elements below the water, and that was in 2013. And the very disturbing defects were noticed in Carter Bridge and 3rd Mainland Bridge,” Umahi’s aide, Francis Nwaze, quoted the minister as saying in a statement.
The minister disclosed that after assuming office, the current administration engaged geologists and specialist divers to carry out additional underwater investigations, which confirmed that some bridge piles had shifted away from their pile caps.
“It’s just like the hip of the leg is cut off,” the minister explained while describing the extent of the damage.
Umahi said consultations were later held with engineers, bridge experts, lawmakers, and foreign specialists to determine the most practical solution.
He added that repairing the Carter Bridge would cost nearly twice as much as constructing a completely new one.
As part of the redesign, Umahi revealed that a section of the new bridge would feature a modern cable-stayed structure aimed at improving navigation and enhancing the aesthetics of Lagos.
“We decided that a section of this Carter Bridge will be a cable bridge. You see the cable bridge we see overseas, very beautiful, and that is to enhance our navigational activities,” he said.
The minister stated that the project is expected to be completed within 36 months and commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development nationwide.
Umahi also explained that the contractor selection process followed due process, noting that seven companies were invited while six eventually submitted bids, including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
“The CECC was technically and commercially most viable. And that’s why the BPP recommended them, and the Federal Executive Council has awarded the project to them,” he said.
He directed the contractor to mobilise to the site immediately and assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Works would conduct monthly inspections to ensure quality and compliance with safety standards.
The bridge project is valued at ₦545 billion and will be funded through a mix of Federal Government counterpart financing and external loans. Under the arrangement, the Federal Government will provide 30 per cent of the funding, while the remaining 70 per cent will come from external sources.
Eko Bridge Carriageway To Be Closed
Meanwhile, Umahi also announced the emergency closure of one carriageway of the Eko Bridge after severe structural damage allegedly caused by illegal sand mining activities.
He said illegal dredgers damaged several supporting piles after a barge collided with one of the bridge’s pile caps.
“When they knocked the pile cap, they broke three piles. And when they were trying to remove the barge, they broke another two,” he stated.
According to the minister, the incident caused dangerous cracks and weakened parts of the bridge, creating serious safety concerns.
As a precaution, the Federal Government directed that one full carriageway of the bridge be shut down from midnight on Sunday, May 10, 2026, while the remaining carriageway will continue to operate.
“We will not allow people to endanger their lives. We are a responsible administration,” Umahi said.
He further disclosed that emergency repair plans are already underway, including lifting a section of the bridge to expose and repair the damaged structures underneath.
Umahi added that Buildwell Plants & Equipment Industries Ltd will handle the emergency repair works alongside specialist divers conducting underwater structural investigations.
The minister assured residents of Lagos that President Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and has directed that urgent action be taken.
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