The Federal Government has successfully negotiated a significant reduction in the cost of rehabilitating the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, bringing it down from an initial N27 billion to N17 billion.

 

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this to journalists during an inspection of the bridge on Friday. He revealed that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project, had originally quoted approximately N27 billion, but the amount was reduced after extensive negotiations.

 

“Julius Berger quoted, I think, N27 billion or thereabout, but after much negotiation and discussion, we now arrived at N17 billion,” Umahi said.

 

 

 

He praised Julius Berger’s cooperation under its new leadership, referring to the construction giant as a “born-again Berger.” He credited the cost reduction to the openness and understanding of the company’s new managing director.

 

The minister reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and warned that all contractors must comply with the standards and directives of the Ministry of Works.

 

Umahi noted that the scope of the project had evolved from a simple rehabilitation of the fire-damaged section to a more extensive overhaul, following an assessment of the bridge’s deteriorating condition.

 

He attributed the damage to years of neglect and misuse, including illegal occupancy beneath the bridge and repeated impacts from heavy-duty vehicles.

 

“Three spans of the bridge were severely damaged by fire, caused by illegal occupants who brought in chemicals, built block walls, and set up homes under the bridge,” Umahi explained. “They eventually started a fire that damaged the structure.”

 

 

 

The minister added that the bridge, which currently has a headroom of about 4.5 metres, will be modified to achieve a minimum clearance of 5.6 metres, to reduce future damage from tall vehicles.

 

Umahi emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Works is determined to fully restore the bridge for public safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

 

He also issued a stern warning that no one would be allowed to return to live under the bridge.

 

“Nobody will stay under Iddo Bridge again as long as I remain the Minister of Works. The lives of the people are more important,” he said.

 

 

 

Umahi stressed that the government would no longer tolerate any form of abuse of critical national infrastructure.