FG to spend N80.9bn to rehabilitate 50 Bridges nationwide

The federal government has disclosed that it has allocated N80.984 billion to rehabilitate about 50 bridges currently undergoing rehabilitation across the federation.

It also disclosed that it would prioritise the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects in the country rather than beginning new ones in the 2021 fiscal year.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Works and Housing Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello yesterday the minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) was quoted to have gaven this figure, stressing that the ministry would also focus on the maintenance of about 50 bridges nationwide as a measure to avoid further deterioration of the structures, which he described as critical.

Fashola hinted that some bridges, which connect several geopolitical zones and federal roads, had not been maintained for several years before this administration, adding that some of the bridges required replacement of expansion joints and handrails while others required major underwater repairs of exposed piles, pile caps and piers.

According to him, “Bridges like the Third Mainland Bridge, the Koton Karfe Bridge and the Makurdi Bridge are part of about 50 bridges being rehabilitated simultaneously among others.”

He pointed out that the ministry is focused on the completion of the construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari road in Taraba State and Ikom Bridge along Calabar-Ikom road.

Fashola put the estimated cost of rehabilitating all the bridges at N80.984 billion, while harping on the need for the support of the National Assembly in realising the stated objectives.

He stated further that there was need, in the course of each year, to address washouts and erosion envisaged with the subsiding discharge of flood waters nationwide.

In his words “We are mindful of the limitation of resources but the frequency of these natural disasters caused by climate change and aging infrastructure must compel us to think of making provisions for emergencies.

“The international best practice for such emergencies was between 5 and 10 percent of the Capital Budget.”

The minister revealed that the ministry had selected two roads and a bridge in each of the six geopolitical zones for enhanced funding during the budget year and solicited the National Assembly support to make available adequate funding for Nigeria’s counterpart fund for projects financed by the China Exim Bank.

He affirmed that the federal government will focus on the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects in the country rather than beginning new ones, in the implementation of the 2021 budget.

“The roads and bridges include those leading to the ports and major agricultural hubs across the six geopolitical zones of the federation,” the minister added.

He recalled that the decision to prioritise those projects was in line with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari, who had repeatedly emphasized the necessity to focus the budget on completion of projects.

He cited other categories of road and bridge projects on which the ministry will focus for completion during the budget year to also include those that have attained 70 per cent completion, noting that subject to the availability of funds, such projects would be completed as early as possible.

Commenting on the ministry’s interventions on internal roads in federal tertiary institutions across the country, he pointed out that of the 43 such projects 18 had been completed, adding that inadequate budgetary provisions had stalled the projects.

He narrated that ministry started from 2018/2019, stressing that the 17.35 percent cut in the 2020 Budget made it impossible to pay contractors who were being owed N3.31 billion while the money required to complete the remainder is N3.54 billion.