The Federal Government has successfully negotiated the cost of rehabilitating the Iddo Bridge, reducing the initial estimate from N27 billion to N17 billion.Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced this to journalists during an inspection of the bridge on Friday in Lagos.
He explained, “Julius Berger quoted, I believe, around N27 billion, but after extensive negotiations and discussions, we’ve agreed on N17 billion.”Umahi praised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. for demonstrating cooperation under its new leadership, describing the company as a “born-again Berger.
He credited the breakthrough in negotiations to the understanding and transparency of the new managing director.
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to prudent expenditure, insisting that all contractors adhere strictly to the ministry’s standards and guidelines.He also highlighted that the scope of the project had expanded from merely rehabilitating the damaged section to executing a comprehensive overhaul. Umahi expressed concern over the bridge’s poor condition, attributing it to years of neglect and human abuse, including illegal occupation and collisions with heavy-duty trucks.
He pointed out that three spans of the bridge had been severely damaged by fire, which he linked to activities of illegal occupants who had built makeshift homes underneath the bridge.
These occupants brought in chemicals, constructed block walls, and established living spaces, eventually setting a fire that burned the bridge and destroyed three spans.
We are now going to fix the bridge comprehensively,” he stated.
The minister noted that the current headroom of about 4.5 meters was insufficient, having suffered extensive structural damage from repeated truck impacts and illegal structures beneath it.
He announced plans to increase the headroom to at least 5.6 meters.Umahi reaffirmed the government’s dedication to restoring the bridge for the safety of all Nigerians and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Regarding displaced persons living under the bridge, he declared, “No one will be allowed to stay under Iddo Bridge again as long as I am Minister of Works. The lives of the people are more important.
He concluded with a stern warning that the government would no longer tolerate any abuse of national infrastructure.
