Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on Lagos State government and relevant authorities to close the waterway between Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge after discovering critical safety threats, including severe structural damage caused by dredging activities.

The minister made this call on Saturday during an inspection of major bridges and infrastructure in the state. The minister expressed grave concerns over the structural integrity of key components of the facilities, especially the piers and pile caps, which are crucial to bridge stability. Umahi disclosed that a dredger had struck and severely damaged one of the piers supporting the Eko Bridge.

“A whole pier was totally removed. What is holding that particular section is only the reinforcement rods, some of which have also been damaged,” he lamented, describing the situation as an emergency.

Umahi, however, stressed the immediate danger posed by the sunken dredger in the waterway. He appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other stakeholders, including the Navy, to enforce the closure. He raised broader concerns about the state of Lagos’ bridges and the ongoing threat of illegal dredging.

Umahi expressed dismay at discovering active dredging near the Third Mainland Bridge, despite the ban imposed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) four months ago on any form of dredging within a 10-kilometre radius of all bridges in Nigeria.

“So I was very shocked to see that dredging is still taking place,” he said. He warned that such activities undermine the structural integrity of bridges, explaining that all the piles in Lagos State were executed through skin friction, which means that it is the sand that is holding the piles and holding the bridge.

“If we continue to excavate this sand, it is dangerous,” he stated.Umahi called for public cooperation, urging an end to parking and loading on bridges, which are designed for dynamic not static loads.

“There should be no trading on the bridges, there should be no parking and loading of passengers on the bridges,” he pleaded. Project Coordinator at Buildwell, Ghassan Kaadi noted that about 75 per cent of the rehabilitation works for Eko Bridge have been completed.

He said 700 metres of expansion joints had been installed out of 1,000 metres, and 2,500 metres of concrete handrails completed out of a total 6,000 metres. Solar lighting installations are also nearing completion.

Meanwhile, Umahi has assured Nigerians that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a major infrastructure investment with a projected Return On Investment (ROI) within 10 years.

Addressing newsmen during an inspection tour at the weekend, Umahi dismissed claims that the ambitious road project is wasteful or corrupt, insisting on its long-term economic value.

He emphasised that the coastal road, which spans several key economic zones across Nigeria’s southern corridor, is far more than a road construction effort, it’s a strategic investment set to transform coastal communities and boost economic activity.

Umahi also provided updates on the pace of construction. Though initially scheduled for completion in 36 months, the first section of the highway, he said, is ahead of schedule.

“This project is supposed to be 36 months, but we finished Section One in less than 18 months, that is a major feat. I am very proud of the commitment and partnership of Hi-Tech Engineering,” he said. However, the Minister acknowledged that significant unforeseen challenges, particularly shoreline protection, have arisen.

“We are going to be encountering very serious shore protection works here, which were not in the original contract. Many houses along the stretch have been submerged. We had to raise the pavement above the highest flood level using sand fill, which means constructing retaining walls to hold the sand,” Umahi noted.

He explained that work on some retaining walls are already underway and that additional earthworks and sharp sand replacement are being carried out to stabilise the road.

“These interventions are crucial and will affect the overall prosperity of the project,” he added. The Managing Director of Hi-Tech Construction, Dany Abboud reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering the project on schedule despite the technical complexities posed by the shoreline. He explained that Hi-Tech, in collaboration with marine and structural engineers, is finalising the design for shoreline protection.

“We are conducting detailed studies and will submit our final design to the Ministry this week, latest by Friday. Once approved, we will proceed immediately,” Abboud assured. He further pledged Hi-Tech’s commitment to get the job satisfactorily delivered.