By Amaka Okafor
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against his critics, declaring that leadership should be measured by performance rather than political rhetoric, as the Federal Government prepares to commence construction of a new Carter Bridge while accelerating the rehabilitation of the Eko Bridge in Lagos.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Lagos on Thursday, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the Eko Bridge, saying the project would be completed before the end of the year. “Today, we saw the rebuilding process and, to save time, we decided instead of using concrete beams, we would use T-beams. I believe strongly that by the end of the year, we should be able to completely finish Eko Bridge,” he said.
The Minister explained that the reconstruction includes reinforced concrete pavement and excavation beneath the bridge to achieve the standard 5.6-metre headroom for trucks, adding that future bridge projects would adopt a 6.5-metre clearance. He stressed that every phase of the project would be closely monitored to ensure strict compliance with engineering specifications and construction standards.
Umahi blamed years of abuse of public infrastructure, including illegal trading, abandoned trucks and sand dredging beneath the bridge, for the damage to the Eko Bridge. He disclosed that emergency intervention estimated at about ₦12 billion had been submitted for funding approval, while ongoing underwater repairs and replacement of critical bridge components worth about ₦18 billion were necessary to prevent the bridge from deteriorating further. “The immediate intervention is going to cost about ₦12 billion… we needed to intervene immediately so that Eko Bridge will not collapse,” he stated.
On the proposed Carter Bridge, the Minister commended China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for mobilizing to the project despite not receiving the statutory mobilisation payment. He said the contractor had demonstrated commitment and capacity, prompting the Ministry to commence processing the 30 percent mobilisation fee. “Within this month, we will be able to commence full mobilization,” Umahi announced.
The Minister also praised Advanced Engineering Consultant (AEC) for resolving major engineering and stakeholder concerns affecting the bridge alignment. According to him, the new Carter Bridge will feature two 105-metre navigation spans and a modern cable-supported structure designed to improve navigation and support future transportation needs. “We’re bringing in modern road and bridge architecture because we must develop forward and not backward,” he said.
Highlighting President Tinubu’s infrastructure drive, Umahi disclosed that the President had approved the immediate release of funds for Section One of the 125-kilometre Agwanga–Jos Legacy Road Project. He also revealed that the Gombe–Biu Road contract had been awarded while the design of the Gombe–Bauchi Road was currently underway, describing the President as committed to equitable infrastructure development across the country.
The Minister took a swipe at opposition figures aspiring to the presidency, insisting that none could match Tinubu’s achievements as former Governor of Lagos State. “I laughed in vernacular when somebody who says he is a presidential aspirant claims he is the most qualified. Even when you were governor of a state and President Bola Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, can you compare notes? This is a man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean. Talk is very cheap,” he declared.
Earlier, Director of Advanced Engineering Consultant, Olatinwo Tomilola Alatinwo, said the redesigned Carter Bridge would feature a 12-metre clearance and wider navigation spans to accommodate present and future maritime traffic. Also, CCECC Project Manager, Dang Yinan, assured the Federal Government of the company’s readiness to begin work immediately, saying, “Next week Monday, we w
