- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the demolition of the renowned Carter Bridge in Lagos.
FEC’s approval of the bridge’s demolition was disclosed during a press briefing on Thursday by the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi.
According to Umahi, FEC came to the decision of demolishing the bridge following consultation with stakeholders who recommended that the bridge can no longer be rehabilitated.
The Minister announced that the contract for the redesign of the bridge has been awarded with a total of N5.6 billion estimated for its construction.
“We also got approval from design cost for the total review and design and costing of Carter Bridge.
“Recall that we have been to FEC and FEC approved that after going through stakeholders’ engagement and the total recommendation was Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated.
“It should be demolished and a new bridge be constructed. We got approval for a consultant to do the entire design before we go to the construction.
“The company name is Advance Engineering Company and it will cost N5.6 billion.” Umahi said.
The development will mark the second time in Nigeria’ post-independence history that the Carter Bridge will be demolished and reconstructed.
According to reports, Carter Bridge was originally constructed in 1901 by the British colonial government.
It served as one of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland.
The bridge which starts from Iddo on the mainland and ends at Idumota area of Lagos Island would be demolished and rebuilt during the late 1970s after Nigeria’s independence.
However, the infrastructure had of recent been subjected to repair and renovation works by past administrations.