David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has raised an urgent warning regarding the structural safety of major Lagos bridges, including the Third Mainland, Carter, and Marina bridges. He expressed concerns that, due to damage from carbonization and chlorination affecting the bridges’ pile caps, these structures may deteriorate severely if not swiftly addressed.
Umahi explained that carbon and chloride exposure has corroded the bridges’ internal reinforcements, describing how continued neglect could turn the bridges “into something as fragile as biscuits.” Further inspection revealed that some piles supporting the bridges have even detached from their pile caps, a condition worsened by years of illegal sand mining in surrounding areas.
While inspecting the bridges with National Assembly Committee members, Umahi explained, “If this issue is left unaddressed, these strong structures will rapidly degrade due to rusting reinforcements.” He also highlighted longstanding issues with the Third Mainland Bridge, including top-deck wear from repeated asphalt layering that created super elevations and dangerous potholes.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for granting emergency funds to support these repairs, emphasizing that neglect over the past 50+ years has placed the bridges in dire need of intervention.
