FG Slashes Iddo Bridge Repair Cost from N27bn to N17bn

The Federal Government has reduced the cost of the Iddo Bridge rehabilitation project from N27 billion to N17 billion after extensive negotiations.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the bridge on Friday in Lagos. He explained that the cost cut followed discussions with the construction firm handling the project.

“Julius Berger quoted, I think, N27 billion or thereabout, but after much negotiation and discussion, we now arrived at N17 billion,” Umahi told journalists.

He praised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for what he described as a renewed spirit of cooperation under its current leadership. Umahi referred to the company as a “born-again Berger,” attributing the outcome of the negotiations to the transparency and understanding shown by the firm’s new managing director.

The minister stressed that the Tinubu administration remains focused on prudent spending and would only work with contractors who comply with ministry standards. He added that the initial plan for basic rehabilitation had now been upgraded to a more extensive structural intervention.

Umahi expressed serious concern over the poor condition of the bridge, blaming it on years of neglect and repeated collisions by heavy-duty trucks. He also pointed fingers at illegal settlers who had built structures and stored dangerous materials beneath the bridge.

“They brought in chemicals, built block walls and set up homes. Then, they set up fire that burnt the bridge and damaged three spans. Now we are going to fix the bridge completely,” he said.

He explained that the bridge, which currently has a clearance of about 4.5 metres, had sustained significant structural damage from the repeated impacts. Going forward, the ministry plans to increase the clearance to at least 5.6 metres to ensure safety and durability.

Umahi reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to restoring the bridge and preventing similar incidents. On the issue of displaced persons, he made the government’s stance clear.

“Nobody will stay under Iddo Bridge again as long as I remain the Minister of Works. The lives of the people are more important,” he said.

He warned that the abuse of national infrastructure will no longer be tolerated under the current administration.