FEC Approves N6.28b For Maintenance Of Third Mainland Bridge

The federal executive council (FEC), has approved the sum of N6.28 billion for surface maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos state.

The council meeting, presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, was held on Wednesday.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Babatunde Fashola, minister for works and housing, said the repairs will last for 24 months and will cover 11 kilometers including interchanges, ramps, and critical links.

Fashola said this was in line with the executive order 11 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, in April 2022, which gave legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy.

“The council approved a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the Third Mainland Bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6.28 billion for 24 months,” the politician said.

“I have been asked about the works that have been done on the bridge before. The works are concentrating largely on the substructure of the bridge, the underwater piles, the pile caps, and also the replacement of the expansion joints and the bearings.

“These are maintenance works that are critical to the structural integrity of the bridge. What we are dealing with now is different. It is the driving surface and also the aesthetics.

“Some of the rails have been stolen. Some of the pleats are misaligned at the routes that lead you on and off the bridge.”

Fashola added that there are no anticipated prolonged closures during the maintenance work.