Works minister David Umahi has advised Nigerians to report infrastructure problems and equally recognise and publicise completed government projects. He spoke while inspecting repair works on the Iddo Bridge in Lagos on Monday.

He was accompanied by his deputy, Mohammed Goronyo, and members of the National Assembly, including the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi.

Mr Umahi said the federal government raised the bridge’s headroom from 4.6 metres to 6.5 metres to prevent trucks from repeatedly hitting it.

Mr Umahi said the new design involved the steel beams and reinforced concrete in a composite construction system.

“I want Nigerians to tell the story. It is not only when you see a place that has not been fixed that you start going wide on social media. Also celebrate the President for all these interventions,” he said.
He said a new drainage system had also been constructed to channel water from the depressed section into the lagoon.

The minister said the completed section would be opened to traffic after the concrete attained the required strength. He said that work would then begin on the other carriageway.

Mr Umahi said the Iddo Bridge intervention became necessary after illegal activities and a fire damaged three spans of the bridge. He said some people had illegally occupied the area under the bridge, selling chemicals and other goods, and a fire eventually destroyed the three spans.

The minister said the original headroom under the bridge—4.6 metres—was below the 5.6-metre standard required for such a structure.

“We had a lot of trucks hitting the beams, and the beams were damaged and dislocated. There were also cracks on the slab, and that is why this intervention became necessary,” he said.

Mr Umahi urged Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying that it was investing in roads and bridges across the country.

He said the government remained committed to completing ongoing infrastructure projects and improving the country’s road network.

(NAN)