Says Landmark has no claim, hush on amount for compensation
Minister of works, David Umahi has said that bridges accross the country need attention and that he will ensure that.Umahi was on a routine inspection of ongoing under deck projects at Ido Bridge, Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge being rehabilitated by Julius Berger.
Umahi also said that there was alter on the Lagos-Calabar Coaster Road to minimize damages and that President Bola Tinubu has instructed that work on the road should be done with human face.
“I am here to see the project and we are happy with what we have seen and I promise to increase the pace of work against the incoming lagoon tide so, we are happy.” He said when expressing confidence on the pace of work.
He said he inherited construction work on Eko Bridge, Marina Bridge, Liverpool Bridge, Independent Bridge and Iganmu Bridge and that the deck job on the third bridge is at the finishing stage. He said the ministry is constructing CCTV on the Third Mainland Bridge.
“Below the deck, we are working on the piers. We will be doing a meeting with Julius Berger tomorrow (today) to look at the most challenging work, which is the work below the pile caps and the base.
“The piles are being held by sands which are being eroded over the years and illegal mining is also contributing to the eroding of the piles. Some of them have also rusted and the rusting has gotten to the concrete piles so, in 2013, there was examination of all the piles of the Third Mainland Bridge, there was a repeat of about 40 per cent in 2019 so, we are procuring consultants together with Julius Berger to look at what is going on in about 68 pile caps.
When asked about the date for completion, he said: “By June, the solar and others will be ready on the Third Mainland Bridge. I will like to do what we did on Third Mainland Bridge in Carter Bridge and others. A lot of the bridges in Lagos and other part of the country need attention and I am going to give them the attention. We are doing the same at the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Kogi State. Some of the bridges collapsed on Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, some collapsed in Plateau State so, we are working on the bridges and ensure that they are in good condition.
Speaking on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Landmark claim, the Minister said: “Landmark owner has no claim, we don’t pay for shanties. We made all efforts to spare all his infrastructures and that is why I say he’s a politician while I am an Engineer; I don’t know the attention he’s looking for. We will pay Mr. Bolaji whose infrastructure was affected.
“We are looking for how to minimize damages within our right of ways. The president said everything should be done with human face and we are ensuring that. We are doing some minor design to reduce the damages and I am happy with what we have done.
When asked about amount set aside to pay compensation for property along the road, he said: “Why do you want to know? It’s a private thing. We don’t know how many buildings will be demolished but it will be minimal.
