The Federal Government has targeted 12 months to complete rehabilitation of the Ebute Ero-Outer Marina shoreline in Lagos.
The project was awarded to Build Well, through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) after a bidding process and Federal Executive Council approval.
The Guardian learnt that about five companies were invited, and that Build Well won the bid for a total cost of about N114 billion as against the second bidder, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) that staked N145 billion.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, who confirmed this during an inspection of the shoreline, noted that a serious threat to the critical infrastructure had been observed from the shoreline in the past three months, especially the rail line commissioned by President Tinubu.
He lamented that the existing shoreline had deteriorated significantly, mostly along the Outer Marina, to a total length of 3.9 kilometers.
He explained: “Build Well has commenced the job. But we will come at a later date together with the Governor of Lagos State, so that we can officially flag it off to honour him as the host.”
The minister said Build Well had introduced a technology that was the first of its kind in Nigeria, and that the Federal Government was confident about this.
He disclosed that the company’s work was not just to put new, interlocking and concrete piles, but also restore to a large extent, the integrity of existing ship piles.
Umahi said: “It will give us a greater lifespan of not less than 50 years before we talk about looking at it. We have directed the company to make a few amendments, like increasing the strength of the concrete and bringing anti-corrosion elements, like anti-sulfate, that attacks concrete from the seawater.
“Our position is that whatever infrastructure we are going to do, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, we have to do it to the best engineering standards.
“I believe strongly that if funds are made available, courtesy of Mr President, that is going to complete this project within a record time of 12 months, and we are not going to review this project.
“There will be no variation on price, there will be no foreign exchange differential; this project is fixed. I am going to appeal to Mr President to see the danger of not completing this project on time, because this critical infrastructure will be threatened.”
