(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/niger_bridge--300x171.jpg) The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen has reassured motorists, users and the whole nation that the Third Mainland and the Niger bridges in Lagos and Onitsha respectively are physically strong and safe and there is nothing wrong with the bridges.
He gave the reassurance during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on works led by its Chairman, Senator Ayogu Eze of Enugu North on issues surrounding the motion brought to the floor of the Senate by Senators Hope Uzodimma, PDP Imo West and Gbenga Ashafa, ACN Lagos East on the 7th of February, 2013 following alarm raised by some people that the Third Mainland and Niger Bridges are on the verge of collapse.
The Minister stated that since his assumption of duty as the Minister of Works, that there have always been routine checks and maintenances on the bridges which involve professionals and expertise on bridge management. Said he on the Third Mainland Bridge, "Following reports of oscillation and excessive vibration of the bridge under traffic load, the Ministry in 2008 engaged the services of Messrs JBN Plc., to conduct preliminary investigations on the structure, and later dynamic tests were carried out by Messrs 4EMME, an international firm. The reports of the investigations and tests at the time indicated that the bridges was structurally sound but required the replacement of damaged expansion joints and bearings.
Consequently, a contract was awarded to Messrs Borini Prono &Co. Nigeria Ltd in 2010 for the four critically affected expansion joints. The Ministry undertook inspection of the bridge and the site inspection report indicated that excessive vibrations occurred at the damaged expansion joints whenever heavy vehicles crossed over them. The Inspection Team recommended also the immediate replacement of more damaged expansion joints since the vibration were traced to them. The replacement of eight (8) additional joints adjudged to be border line cases which were approved by the Federal Executive Council in October, 2011 and the joints replacement was completed in 2012."
Arc. Mike Onolememen also reiterated that during all his inspections tours on the the repair works going on at the Third Mainland Bridge then, he had all his press briefings on top of the bridge which was meant to show that there is nothing wrong with the bridge as to bring about its collapse.
He said advanced integrity assessment were done by reputable bridge constructions specialists and civil engineering contractors which confirmed that there is no evidence of immediate threat of failure of the pilings added that they recommended that elaborate maintenance programme based on systemic assessment of all piles to be put in place.
In order to safeguard the integrity of the bridge, the Minister noted that the Ministry engaged a consultant, Messrs ICECON Nig. Ltd., to urgently carry out investigation on the entire bridge substructure in order to determine the extent of maintenance work required, which report is expected in April, 2013.
After his defence, the Minister was encouraged by Senator Ayogu Eze to continue his good efforts to fix the nation's roads and should not lose focus.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria