Fed Govt reviews Kano–Katsina Road contracts, moves to replace Carter Bridge

The Federal Government has undertaken sweeping revisions to key road and bridge projects, including the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina highway and Lagos’s ageing Carter Bridge, following approvals at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, told journalists after the meeting at the State House, Abuja, that both sections of the Kano–Katsina Road — awarded under previous administrations — have been significantly adjusted to reflect present-day economic realities.

The first section, 74.1km long and initially awarded in 2013 for ₦14 billion before being reviewed to ₦24 billion, has now been revalued at ₦68 billion, with ₦6 billion provided in the 2024 budget and ₦34 billion in 2025. 

The second section, 79.5km, first awarded in 2019 for ₦29 billion and later adjusted to ₦46 billion, has been revised to ₦66.115 billion, with ₦80 billion allocated between 2024 and 2025.

Read Also: ‘Lagos Carter Bridge structurally safe, 3rd Mainland Bridge tests progressing’

Umahi also announced progress on the Iyin–Ilawe Road in Ekiti State, a 30.2km project split into three segments. 

While the first 10km section is ongoing, Sections Two and Three — each 10.1km — have been awarded at ₦16.777 billion and ₦17.275 billion respectively.

On bridges, the Minister disclosed that urgent technical assessments on Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos revealed severe underwater structural deterioration, largely from sand erosion caused by illegal mining. 

Julius Berger, contracted to carry out underwater repairs, recommended Carter Bridge’s immediate closure and replacement, estimating a new structure at about ₦359 billion, with funding discussions already opened with Dutch Bank.

Similar issues were found on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, where new construction is projected to cost ₦3.6 trillion. 

FEC has approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under EPC+F arrangements for detailed investigation, design, and bidding for either rehabilitation or total reconstruction of both bridges. 

The Council also authorised advertisements for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) bids.

Beyond Lagos, Umahi said FEC approved interventions on multiple critical bridge failures nationwide, including the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba, the burnt Ido Bridge, the Keffi Flyover, Mokwa Bridge in Niger, collapsed bridges on the East–West Road in Delta and Bayelsa, the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, and the near-split Itokin–Ikorodu Road. 

Emergency works on these structures will be consolidated and forwarded to the Minister of Finance for presidential approval.

He noted that ongoing Federal bridge works also include Jimeta Bridge in Adamawa, Mutamame Bridge in Kogi, Jebba Bridge in Niger, Gashua Bridge in Yobe, Eko and Marine bridges in Lagos, Bibi Bridge in Taraba, Artisan Bridge in Enugu, Apowa Bridge in Ebonyi, Opobo Bridge in Rivers, Baro Bridge in Niger, and Buruku Bridge in Benue.

“We are tackling both long-standing structural problems and sudden emergencies to safeguard lives and the economy,” Umahi stated.