FEC Approves N3.6 Trillion for New Third Mainland Bridge, N359 Billion for New Carter Bridge

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the Ministry of Works’ proposal to explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus Financing (EPC+F) models for the construction of a new Carter Bridge at an estimated cost of N359 billion and a new Third Mainland Bridge at N3.6 trillion.

Minister of Works David Umahi announced the decision on Wednesday after the FEC meeting, noting that the same financing options are also being considered for rehabilitation projects — pegged at N387 billion for Carter Bridge and N3.8 trillion for Third Mainland Bridge.

Umahi explained that assessments showed Carter Bridge was beyond repair due to severe structural issues, while the Third Mainland Bridge faces similar underwater pile deterioration. Both bridges, originally built using skin friction piles due to the absence of solid rock, have suffered damage from rusting, sand loss, and illegal sand mining.

“The FEC has approved both EPC+F and PPP options to enable specialist contractors and the private sector to undertake either full reconstruction or rehabilitation,” Umahi stated.

Other Infrastructure Approvals
The Minister also disclosed that FEC approved:

• Reconstruction of Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State.
• Removal and rebuilding of the three-span section of Iddo Bridge, Lagos, which was completely burned.
• Interventions for the Keffi Flyover, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, and the bridge between Abuja and Keffi.
• Repairs on bridges along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway and the Jebba Bridge.

Road Project Updates

• The 152km Kano–Katsina Road was re-scoped: section one (74.1km) to N68 billion and section two (79.5km) to N96.115 billion, with a combined 2024–2025 appropriation of N120 billion.
• For the 30.2km Iyin–Ilawe Road in Ekiti State, section one (10km) is ongoing, while sections two and three were awarded N16.77 billion and N17.275 billion, respectively.

The approvals mark a significant step in the federal government’s push to overhaul Nigeria’s ageing bridge and road infrastructure, much of which has been flagged for urgent attention in recent structural integrity assessments.