Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have summoned the construction giant, Julius Berger and Federal Controller of Works to appear before it over the postponement of repair work on the Third Mainland Bridge.
The Chief Whip of the House, Razaq Balogun who drew the attention of his colleagues to the postponement of repairs work on the bridge under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, expressed worry that the bridge may have been facing serious pressures that may lead to disaster if not quickly addressed.
The lawmaker recalled that the bridge was built in 1990 when the population of Lagos State was barely five million, adding that the bridge had long been due for repairs.? “Many times when I ply that bridge, I am afraid because I don’t even know what section of the bridge is safe. I did a research recently on bridges and what I heard was very worrisome.
“I know when they proposed this maintenance, there was a lot of cry about the huge traffic situation that would follow, but I am worried that like too many things in our country, we would not take action until a disaster happens. If you stand on that bridge, you would see how much it vibrates and you would be scared that this is the bridge we all pass. If we do not take this matter very seriously, God forbid,” Balogun said.
On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Rotimi Olowo expressed reservations concerning the bridge and explained that the expansions had given way to the extent that one could now see the water through the holes on the bridge.
He said: “Also everything that are supposed to be the barriers are giving way. We are talking about real maintenance and not the cosmetic type in which they have started painting the place with green and white.
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