Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi has officially flagged off the construction of a New Carter Bridge in Lagos, as part of ongoing efforts to improve critical infrastructure in the country.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Mr Umahi explained that the over 4.2 kilometres of the bridge to be reconstructed, is expected to be completed in 36 months with a section of it to be a cable bridge of 105 meters.
Speaking on the funding, the Minister said that 30% of the project is to be funded by the federal government while the 70% will be of external borrowing.
In his remarks, the Chairman Committee on Works in the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Akin Alabi, noted that the easiest thing for the current administration is doing palliative work on the existing bridge but the President in his magnanimity, had approved the reconstruction of a new bridge in order to save lives of road users.
He assured the Ministry of Works of legislative support in terms of administrative and oversight duties in order to ensure that due diligence is followed.
Also speaking, the representative of the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Osita Ngwu urged the contractors to ensure that a quality project is delivered
Earlier, the Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Femi Dare had explained that the bridge initially constructed in 1901 was rebuilt in 1960, said after 66 years, there is need for reconstruction, stating that the new bridge is not just about bricks and steel but a provisional safety of lives.
The Minister of Works and his entourage later inspected the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway.
Reporting By Abiola PETERS