Federal Government don talk say dem go need about N3.8 trillion to repair Third Mainland Bridge for Lagos, after dem discover say serious wahala dey under the water wey affect the structure.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, yarn this one on Wednesday when he dey brief State House journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting wey President Bola Tinubu chair for Abuja.

Umahi talk say dem don do underwater check for 2013 and 2019 for Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge, and the result show say illegal sand mining, erosion and corrosion don damage the piles and piers wey dey support the bridge.

He talk say, “For Third Mainland Bridge, when we calculate wetin we go need to repair am, e reach about N3.8 trillion. But if na to build new one, e go cost about N3.6 trillion.”

The minister still talk say the proposal na follow-up to the emergency work wey dem don already do for other bridges across the country.

He say dem go use EPC+F framework (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing) take allow at least seven specialist contractors do full investigation, design, and bid to either build new bridge or repair the old ones.

Council don also approve make dem advertise for public-private partnership (PPP), so private companies fit join hand for the repair work.

The approval still cover other bridges like Jalingo bridge for Taraba, Ido Bridge for Oyo wey burn and need make dem remove three spans, Keffi Flyover for Nasarawa, Mokwa bridge for Niger, and one bridge wey spoil for Abuja–Kogi road.

Dem go still inspect bridges between Lagos and Ibadan, Jebba bridge for Kwara, and Itokin–Ikorodu bridge for Lagos.

Umahi talk say all these emergency works go be packaged and sent to President through the finance minister for final approval.

The minister still talk say council don approve N493 billion for two big projects, to upgrade the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina road and to build new Carter Bridge for Lagos State.