The Federal Executive Council has approved the Ministry of Works’ plan to explore Public-Private Partnership and Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus Financing models for the proposed 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, adding that the same funding models are being considered for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of the existing bridges, with projected costs of N387 billion for Carter Bridge and N3.8 trillion for Third Mainland Bridge.

He said the FEC also authorised the Ministry to adopt a selective procurement method, allowing EPC+F or PPP arrangements for either new construction or full rehabilitation, with private sector participation where applicable.

“During the course of the assessment, it became clear that Carter Bridge was beyond repair and would require new construction, estimated at N359 billion, while rehabilitation at N387 billion was not feasible. The same underwater challenges exist for the Third Mainland Bridge, where new construction would cost around N3.6 trillion and rehabilitation N3.8 trillion.

“The FEC has approved both Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus Financing and Public-Private Partnership options to allow specialist contractors and the private sector to undertake either full reconstruction or full rehabilitation,” Umahi stated.

The Minister said the bridges face significant structural issues, especially with their underwater piles, which were built using skin friction because no solid rock was available at the time of construction.

He noted that studies conducted in 2013 and 2019 found damage from rust, sand loss, and illegal sand mining, leading the government to consider various options for either rebuilding or rehabilitating the structures.

Umahi further announced that the FEC approved the reconstruction of Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State and the removal and rebuilding of the three-span section of Iddo Bridge, which was completely destroyed by fire.

He said interventions were also cleared for the Keffi Flyover and Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, as well as the bridge linking Abuja and Keffi, where partial deck reinforcement has necessitated carriageway closure.

Other FEC-approved works include repairs on bridges along the Lagos–Ibadan route damaged by overloaded vehicles, and the Jebba Bridge.