The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the Ministry of Works’ Design Department to immediately launch a project to assess the structural integrity of bridges in Lagos and across Nigeria amid concerns over their deteriorating conditions.

a recent tour of Lagos bridges, Umahi, accompanied by National Assembly members, expressed alarm at the extent of damage from carbonisation and chlorination affecting the pile caps.

He explained that each pile cap must be isolated from water and reinforced to prevent further chlorination, a process where chloride absorption compromises the reinforcing rods within the concrete.

“Chlorination involves chloride water absorption by the pile cap, which attacks the reinforcing rods,” Umahi stated. “If not addressed urgently, the internal reinforcement will corrode, risking pile cap failure.”

Further assessments revealed that some piles had detached from their caps or lost contact with the underlying sand, essential for stability through skin friction. Over time, underwater currents, scouring, and illegal sand mining have exacerbated these issues, he said.

The Minister underscored the importance of this project, noting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to tackling the longstanding structural problems despite public expectations for immediate solutions.

“Some bridges have not been maintained for 53 to 60 years. The government is working, though this may not always be visible,” he added.
Umahi mentioned that a report outlining the risks posed by chlorination and carbonisation damage, along with proposals for large-scale repair work, will be submitted to President Tinubu.

He highlighted Lagos’s unique role in Nigeria’s economy, pointing out that the state contributes substantial VAT and withholding tax revenue.

“A bridge collapse could severely impact these contributions to the federation account, which is why we must prioritise this infrastructure as critical beyond just an investment in Lagos,” he remarked.
Umahi commended Julius Berger for its ongoing assessments and confirmed that the company would further investigate the foundations of these bridges.

Additionally, he praised Buildwell’s shoreline protection efforts, noting that their innovative designs, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Works, are unmatched elsewhere in West Africa and could prevent shoreline deterioration that threatens vital infrastructure at state and federal levels.