FG proposes N341 billion for repairs of roads, bridges nationwide
Minister of Works David Umahi
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Lydia Ngwakwe
The Federal Government has proposed N341 billion for the emergency repair of roads and bridges across the country.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a briefing with members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works regarding the repair status of the Third Mainland and Carter bridges on Saturday.
Umahi, alongside the legislators, conducted a tour of both bridges located in Lagos State, highlighting the need for immediate repairs to avert potential dangers.
The minister explained that while N341 billion has been earmarked for repairs in 2025, this amount may be insufficient given the extensive damage observed.
“We have proposed that N341 billion will be needed, but we cannot accurately predict the total costs. If we are to rebuild these bridges, even N30 trillion may not suffice; hence, a stitch in time saves nine,” he stressed.
He acknowledged the work being done by Julius Berger but noted challenges they had encountered.
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“We are collaborating with them and also consulting internationally to explore viable solutions,” Umahi added.
The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure development and urged for urgent intervention regarding the bridges’ condition.
In response, the National Assembly team, led by Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Peter Nwebonyi, assured that an urgent public engagement would be convened to address the state of Nigerian roads.
Other members included Minority Whip of the Senate, Sen. Osita Ngwu, Sen. Mpigi Barinada, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Rep. Akin Alabi.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the absence of a maintenance plan following road construction or rehabilitation, noting that the bridges had deteriorated over the decades due to a lack of upkeep.
They commended the minister for his efforts in addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs and emphasized the importance of allocating a “condition survey” budget for all bridges to ensure ongoing maintenance and prevent further damage.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), engineers responsible for maintaining and repairing the bridges presented various strategies to enhance safety, including the installation of temporary built-up steel supports, reconstructing capping beams, casting guard walls, and installing steel cages.
