The Digest:
The Nigerian government has approved plans to either rehabilitate or rebuild the Third Mainland and Carter bridges in Lagos, addressing severe underwater damage from illegal sand mining, ocean currents, and corrosion. The government is seeking approval for an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model to fund the projects, with private sector financing options under discussion with Deutsche Bank. The Third Mainland Bridge, vital to Lagos' transport system, requires an estimated N3.8 trillion for rehabilitation, while rebuilding would cost N3.6 trillion. The government has also approved interventions for several other key bridges across Nigeria.
Key Points:
- Third Mainland Bridge damage due to illegal mining, ocean currents
- N3.8 trillion for rehabilitation, N3.6 trillion for new construction
- FEC approval for the EPC+F model and private sector financing
- Seven contractors to handle investigations, design, and bidding
- Projects to improve national infrastructure safety
The government's commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure signals the importance of addressing Nigeria's aging infrastructure while ensuring safety and continued development.
