Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has advocated for the closure of the waterway between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos to boat visitors following harm brought on to Eko Bridge by a ship operator.
The accident resulted within the full harm of one of many pier caps of the bridge.
He referred to as on the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and different involved authorities to take acceptable proactive steps to keep away from a disaster.
The minister stated the scenario has led to the declaration of an emergency scenario on the Eko Bridge that may have nearly warranted instant closure of the bridge.
Talking throughout an inspection tour of the bridge on Saturday, Umahi stated, “We had a really horrible scenario at Eko Bridge with one of many pier caps completely broken.”
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He added that he was solely informed in regards to the incident on Friday evening which occurred after a dredger hit the pier cap, destroying it and plenty of rods.
“Pier caps are to bridges what the legs are to human beings. What’s holding that part are solely rods. Among the rods have been additionally broken,” the minister additionally stated.
“I used to be going to announce shutting down of the bridge however I’ve checked out it and there’s something we will do, although very delicate, to revive it. There shall be no want of shutting down however it’s an emergency scenario,” he stated.
Through the inspection the minister directed the contractor dealing with the bridge restore on what to do to make sure the integrity of the bridge.
Umahi additionally inspected the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge, expressing satisfaction on the progress of labor on the bridges.
“Now we have inspected the Third Mainland Bridge, and Carter Bridge, each being dealt with by Julius Berger, and we’re glad with the work. I can say that the work on Third Mainland Bridge is about 50 per cent accomplished, and that of Carter Bridge, about 70 per cent accomplished,” he stated.
The minister stated that the slab on the Third Mainland Bridge had deflection compelling its closure in opposition to articulated autos.
He stated following the place of Julius Berger, the contractor dealing with the Third Mainland Bridge, that there was a brand new design to sort out the difficulty, the ministry will nominate individuals who will go to Germany and have a look at the brand new design methodology, earlier than it will likely be permitted.
Ghassan Kaadi, undertaking coordinator for Buildwell, who’s dealing with the Eko Bridge rehabilitation undertaking, whereas briefing the minister, stated that the undertaking was 75 per cent accomplished.
Thomas Christ, Regional Supervisor, West, Julius Berger Plc., whereas talking on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge repairs, stated that the corporate was conscious of how important the bridges have been in connecting motorists and commuters from Lagos Island to Lagos Mainland.
“That’s the reason we’re working right here with the perfect engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works to seek out out the perfect answer for the bridges. We did some investigations underwater and above the water on the standard and the structural integrity of the bridges,” he stated.
Christ stated that the corporate was doing its greatest to complete the works as quick as potential and make the bridges sustainable.
