By Abiola PETERS.
The ongoing emergency repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos state will gulp over twenty-one point zero four billion naira.
Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi stated this at the flag-off of the repairs alongside the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
Mr Umahi said the sum was a result of an expansion of the scope of work which includes the complete replacement of the asphalt of the deck to the standard two inches to make motoring smoother and safer on the bridge.
He hinted that a special feature agreed with the state government was the fixing of spikes on the guard railings to discourage suicidal attempts on the bridge.
According to the Minister of Works, the repairs of the four ramps will be completed, on or before the thirteenth of next month a break will be observed for Christmas and New Year, while the maintenance of the carriageways will commence on the fifteenth of January.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for giving attention to the maintenance of the bridge and others in the state, while expressing confidence in the Minister to replicate his sterling achievements in the area of infrastructure, when he was Governor of Ebonyi state.
Dr Hamzat appealed to Lagosians to be perseverant with what would just be minimal discomfort the repairs of the bridge might cause, assuring them that it was necessary for the overall good of the public.
The Minister and Deputy Governor later moved to Victoria Island, for the flag off of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road.
The entourage of the Minister had the Director of Rehabilitation Projects, Mr Adedamola Kuti, the Director of Highways, Bridges and Designs, Mr Omotayo Awosanya, Federal Controller Works, Mrs Olukorede Kesha.