The Federal Government yesterday approved N1.5billion for the expansion and maintenance work on the second phase of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He added that the results of dynamic investigation on the bridge had revealed that there was urgent need to carry out additional repair works, including? replacement of eight extra joints at the mid span axes of the bridge.
Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenmen, who was also at the briefing, said that FEC had approved N1.055billion for the repair works.
The contract, awarded in favour of Messrs Borini Prono Construction Company Limited, also followed an underwater inspection undertaken by the ministry of works.
Onolemenmen also said that preliminary report revealed alarming deterioration and serious damages on a number of pile foundations of the bridge.
The decision of FEC to approve maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge was part of arrangements by the Federal Government to ensure that major bridges across the country are regularly repaired to aviod accidental collapse.
The council meeting, presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, also directed the Ministry of Works to carry out a comprehensive check of bridges nationwide to establish their state of health.