–Third Mainland Bridge closed to heavy-duty vehicles amid urgent federal infrastructure interventions
In a bold move to avert infrastructural collapse and boost economic mobility, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to commence emergency rehabilitation of key highways and bridges across Nigeria.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, CON, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja.
Addressing journalists alongside the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, Umahi emphasized the urgency of the projects, many of which were inherited in various states of disrepair.
He announced the immediate restriction of heavy-duty vehicles on the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos, following structural evaluations. “The bridge remains safe for light vehicles only,” he clarified, adding that the Carter Bridge, Iddo Bridge, and other critical links in Lagos and beyond are under structural review and rehabilitation.
“We are dealing with very concerning structural issues. Some flyover beams have been knocked down due to overloading by heavy trucks,” Umahi said. “Where beams are damaged, vehicular movement is suspended to ensure public safety.”
In the North East, four washout sections in Azare (Bauchi State) on the Kano–Maiduguri highway have been awarded to Triacta for urgent intervention. Additionally, work is progressing on the Gombe–Bauchi Road, with major support from SUKUK funding.
The North Central zone is seeing emergency work at the Keffi Flyover, where a crash involving an overloaded vehicle killed three people. CGC has been mobilized to replace damaged beams and restore full functionality. The Katsina-Ala Road has also received presidential approval for complete redesign and rehabilitation.
In the North West, the Kebbe Bridge in Sokoto and other key routes are undergoing repairs, including those under the NNPC-sponsored interventions.
For the South East, Umahi described the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway as a priority. The project, originally under MTN’s Tax Credit Scheme, has now been partly reassigned to SKCC to fast-track completion. Both contractors have been directed to urgently stabilize bad sections pending full rehabilitation.
The South South region is also receiving attention through PPP arrangements. The Benin–Asaba dual carriageway, especially the 11.5 km stretch to the 1st Niger Bridge, is being handled by Atland on an emergency basis. Umahi noted that although the NNPCL project distribution was skewed—giving only 4% to the South East and 5% to the South West—President Tinubu approved full continuation to ensure national connectivity.
Responding to social media claims of collapse on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi dismissed the circulating video as misleading, clarifying that the crack observed occurred on an uncompleted sand-filled shoulder—not the actual carriageway.
“There’s no structural failure. What you saw is erosion due to rain on unpaved sand-fill,” he said. “Once the drainage and cable ducts are installed, the shoulders will be completed.”
Concluding the briefing, the Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary urged journalists to report with objectivity, patriotism, and accuracy, praising President Tinubu’s infrastructural commitment as pivotal to unlocking national prosperity.
"The Renewed Hope administration is laying a strong foundation for future generations,” they affirmed.
