Lagos residents cry out as contractors abandon Third Mainland Bridge repair ~ Zeniths Blog

Lagos residents cry out as contractors abandon Third Mainland Bridge repair

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has come under attack from residents in Lagos state over the abandonment of the repair works in the Third Mainland Bridge and other connecting roads.

Recall that the Agency, last month had begun repairs on both carriage ways of the Bridge, scrapping the asphalt on some section of the bridge, but had vacated site for over two weeks, leaving motorists to contend with the current state of the road.

Contractors abandons Third Mainland Bridge

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And according to motorists, several accidents which had occurred on the Bridge in recent times can be attributed to the uncoordinated method by which FERMA was carrying out the repair works.

But, investigations on Friday, February 17, showed that though the sum of N10billion was voted for FERMA in the 2016 Budget of the Federal Ministry of Works, the contractor engaged for the job was yet to be mobilised.

With the March 31, 2017 date for the end of the implementation of the 2017 budget fast approaching, FERMA had hurriedly moved the contractor to site, however its failure to mobilize them led to the repair works being stalled.

However, some motorists in Lagos state are calling on the Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to rise up to the challenge and ensure that the Agency completes the repair works, so as to save motorists the nightmare and the incessant

accidents caused by the present state of the Bridge.

READ ALSO: BRT bus razed in major accident near 3rd Mainland Bridge

According to a motorist, Mrs. Abidemi Otegbola, FERMA’s inability to carry out its duties was due to lack of proper monitoring by the parent ministry, as Fashola already has his hands full with responsibilities from the Power and Housing ministries.

Another motorist, Babajide Kasali, who plies the axis on a daily basis, decried the long hours of traffic occasioned by the slow pace of the repair works, saying that it was gradually taking a toll on his health and productivity.

Meanwhile, the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola has disclosed that some columns and beams of the Third Mainland Bridge are threatened by sand-filling, erosion and other human activities.

Fashola made the disclosure while inspecting the rehabilitation of Lagos Ring Road Bridge abutment and approach to the Third Mainland Bridge project, in Lagos state.