Third Mainland Bridge: Matters arising

By Reuben Abati

THE commencement of repair works on the Third Axial Bridge in Lagos, popularly known as Third Mainland Bridge is one rare instance of the Federal Government trying to show sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and actually making an effort to address issues relating to the people's welfare. It will be recalled that it was the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola who had earlier raised an alarm about the poor state of bridges in Lagos, A group of experts were said to have done an assessment of the bridges across Lagos state and had noted that 39 of the bridges were in varying states of disrepair, with six actually on the brink of collapse. The Governor noted that the Third Mainland bridge faced clear danger but that the Lagos state Government would not touch it with a ten-foot pole since it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to take care of its own road networks.

The Guardian had done an editorial at the time (June 6, 2008) in which we advised the Lagos government not to wait on the Federal Government but get on with the job of repairing the Third Mainland bridge since if anything untoward were to happen, the victims would be the people of Lagos. But in due course, the public received the happy news that the Federal Government had decided to repair the Third Mainland Bridge and that this will be done in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. On August 2, construction companies moved onto the bridge and its repair started in earnest. We should not lose sight of the sudden improvement in the relationship between the Lagos state government and the Federal Government, with the change of government and personnel.

Between 1999 and 2007 when General Olusegun Obasanjo was President in Abuja and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in charge in Lagos state, there was no love lost between Lagos and Abuja. Every opportunity for collaboration in the people's interest was sacrificed at the altar of partisan politics. Lagos residents will recall the politicization of the Bar Beach project, the needless waste of time and resources on altercations, the illegal seizure of Lagos state councils' funds by President Obasanjo in absolute defiance of a court ruling, the encouragement of political divisions in Lagos state by the Federal Government and other acts that bordered on outright sabotage. Although some discussion was later initiated on what became known as the Lagos Mega-City Project, it was clear that the only reason the Obasanjo government agreed to sit at the same table with the Tinubu government in Lagos was because of the involvement of the World Bank and other foreign interests.

For eight years, the development process in Lagos was stalled by the political differences between the party in power at the centre and the party in power in Lagos state. Why should the Federal Government show interest in Lagos? The straight-forward argument is that Lagos as Nigeria's former Federal Capital and as the country's major economic centre deserves to be treated as a special case, and its development process supported by the government at the centre. Since the movement of the Federal Capital to Abuja in 1991, the Federal Government had chosen to treat Lagos as a waste land. Former President Obasanjo loved to describe it as a "jungle". He remembered the city and the state only in the lead up to the 2007 elections when he and his PDP apparatchiks swore to "capture" Lagos. Inter-governmental crisis ultimately defeats the possibility of collaboration and places individual egos above development priorities. There were serious communication problems between the Tinubu government and the Obasanjo government, but the present improvement in relations between Abuja and Lagos is welcome.

Both President Yar'Adua and Governor Fashola seem to be making much progress in addressing the welfare needs of the people of Lagos; two other areas in which this is evident include the joint decision to suspend the tank farms that are lacking adequate parking facilities in the Apapa area, and the collaboration on the challenge of security. Most responsible for this development is President Yar'Adua's personal style. Former President Obasanjo was so combative, so partisan that he was hardly in nay position to enter into any partnership with any state government. He was so much of a headmaster that state Governors had to work extra hard to keep him at arm's length although they did not succeed. What has been described as improved relations between Lagos and Abuja however, would have to be sustained for it to be of any value. The collaboration between both parties in the repair of the Third Mainland Bridge is a test case.

The interest that has been shown in the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos should be extended to other Federal Government-owned bridges in the country that face the danger of collapsing. The Niger Bridge in Onitsha, for example is falling down. This is the bridge that links the Eastern part of the country to the mid-West, and other parts of Nigeria. So many attempts have been made to repair the bridge, funds have been allocated, contractors have been mobilized, but there has been no improvement.. In July 2007, we were exposed to the danger of negligence when an eight lane Interstate-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States suddenly collapsed, more than 60 feet below into the Mississippi river, resulting in death, injury and agony. It was later observed that over 70, 000 bridges across America were structurally deficient, and in need of repairs. This is a country where there is a maintenance culture and government genuinely cares for the people.

In Nigeria, bridges and buildings are hardly maintained; so much is left to chance or to God and superstition. In the wake of concerns about the Third Mainland Bridge and the Niger Bridge for example, some stakeholders have called for a propitiation of the Mammy water and other water spirits! The repair of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos should mark the beginning of a general repair and reconstruction of bridges across the country. Other state governments should also conduct a general audit of bridges in their areas as the Lagos state Government did

The management of the Third Mainland Bridge exercise has so far been remarkable even if there are details that were not properly thought through. Carter Bridge and other roads that are currently being used to divert traffic are in a deplorable state, confronting commuters and motorists with special difficulties. There was adequate publicity of the event though. There were occasions in the past when nobody bothered to inform the people about any shut down that would affect them, and nobody cared about the hardships that this produced.

But the repair of the Third Mainland Bridge must be completed on schedule, in order to minimize the hardship that the people are now having to endure. The easiest excuse to offer is that the people of Lagos must be prepared to make a little sacrifice for their own good. But government also has a reputation for abandoning most of its projects. We have been told that the repair of the Bridge would take two months. If there must be any extension, even for a week, this must be for a very good reason.

Even with the Bridge fully open and carrying thousands of vehicles a day, commuting between the Mainland and Lagos Island was a major challenge: the traffic snarls were horrendous. The closure of the Third Mainland bridge has now exposed the urgent need for alternative routes into and out of Lagos Island. When the International Airport in Port Harcourt was shut down for repairs, it took years before any real work started on the project. The people suffered. In Sango-Ota, a fly-over bridge has been abandoned because the contractors have not been further mobilized according to the terms of their contract. In the controversial power sector projects, one major revelation was how the Federal Government failed to take care of community relation issues. The repair of the Third Mainland Bridge must not follow the same pattern.

We are paying the price for an urban planning crisis in the city. There is an over-concentration of businesses and activities on Lagos island. Daily, traffic in the city flows majorly in one direction, and through one major means: road transportation. Water transportation is undeveloped, and grossly restricted; the rail lines have been turned into "Mammy markets". This week, there were reports about some companies purchasing helicopters to provide quick transportation options within the city but how many Lagosians can afford that? Lagos Island would still have to be decongested. The Lagos State Government has promised the development of new towns. It must make haste on that project and those new towns should be centres of commercial activity. Businesses should be encouraged to set up their headquarters in other parts of the state and city, instead of the current obsession with Lagos Island.

The terrible traffic crisis that the closure of the Axial bridge has generated is affecting businesses, lifestyles and values. I know people who have decided that they will not go near Lagos island until the Third Mainland bridge is re-opened. These days, people spend half of the day on the road. Other roads are affected; driving around Lagos even on the Mainland has become a more serious test of endurance.

Family life is being endangered and this is one other reason why no effort should be spared in completing the repairs quickly. Married persons who live on the mainland are having to separate from their loved ones to take up temporary residence on the island in order to escape the torture of commuting across the city. Some couples are expressing fears about infidelity on the part of wandering and separated partners. Of interest is the story in the Nigerian Tribune, of August 6 titled "3rd Mainland Bridge: Woman relocates to family house.. To beat traffic jam. Abandons husband, children." Many young executives have also taken up temporary residence in hotels in Victoria island. Others have to wake up by 4 am, in order to get to their offices on time. These are times that try men's souls.

When the repair of the Third Mainland Bridge is eventually completed, government should also address the challenge of security on the bridge, and the diversification of transportation modes in Lagos. To have a flat tyre or a break down on that bridge is to risk being thrown into the lagoon by hardened criminals.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Third Mainland Bridge: Matters arising By Reuben Abati ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 08.08.2008 08:23

bobokite  Villager

# 2 They should just try and complete the project within the specified period of time and face other bridges in Lagos. the Lagos state government should also look into other means of transportation (water and railway) And make it efficient so that the traffic in Lagos will be reduced. Posted by bobokite| 08.08.2008 10:26

FoxCatcher  Villager

# 3 =Robot;4295080912>Third Mainland Bridge: Matters arising By Reuben Abati ... Read the full arti... In Nigeria, bridges and buildings are hardly maintained; so much is left to chance or to God and superstition. In the wake of concerns about the Third Mainland Bridge and the Niger Bridge for example, some stakeholders have called for a propitiation of the Mammy water and other water spirits! The repair of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos should mark the beginning of a general repair and reconstruction of bridges across the country. Other state governments should also conduct a general audit of bridges in their areas as the Lagos state Government did An effortless commentary delivered with social realism. Imagine???? Referring structural deficiencies to Mammy Water???? Wetin concern Agbero with overload???? The way our people reason sometimes???:(:(....it beats imagining. We leave the substance to pursue shadows. Another issue that you've brought so well is our Govts' attitude to maintenance and repairs of these bridges. I recently passed a road/bridge linking Akute to Ojodu Abiodun in Ifo LGA, Ogun State. The road and its bridge are not more than a year old. In fact the bridge has been rebuilt about three times in the same period. Today, it has sunk under its weight into the water and the road has become impassable for traffic. The contractor is however completing three choice properties along the same stretch of road????:D:D The problem is NOT Mammy Water etc; its endenmic corruption in our public sector. As stated in the article, thank God, for the awakening of the Federal govt in this case. We pray other state govts will also remember part of the reason for their monthly allocation besides the regular 'sharing' that occupies public officials. Ciao Posted by FoxCatcher| 08.08.2008 10:45

employlawone  Villager

# 4 =FoxCatcher;4295080956>An effortless commentary delivered with social realism. Imagine???? Referring structural deficiencies to Mammy Water???? Wetin concern Agbero with overload???? The way our people reason sometimes???:(:(....it beats imagining. We leave the substance to pursue shadows. Another issue that you've brought so well is our Govts' attitude to maintenance and repairs of these bridges. I recently passed a road/bridge linking Akute to Ojodu Abiodun in Ifo LGA, Ogun State. The road and its bridge are not more than a year old. In fact the bridge has been rebuilt about three times in the same period. Today, it has sunk under its weight into the water and the road has become impassable for traffic. The contractor is however completing three choice properties along the same stretch of road????:D:D The problem is NOT Mammy Water etc; its endenmic corruption in our public sector. As stated in the article, thank God, for the awakening of the Federal govt in this case. We pray other state govts will also remember part of the reason for their monthly allocation besides the regular 'sharing' that occupies public officials. Ciao Sean, You have indeed spoken well and encapsulated what Dr Abati is attempting to convey. I hope that 'power' actually engages with the useful and constant write ups that emerges from time to time in this space. However, as our learned friend has access to the media am quite certain this message will reach all or most of the intended. Again I cannot but wonder where is the prohetic voice of the Church in all this? Posted by employlawone| 08.08.2008 13:46

dele26  Villager

# 5 =Abati;4295081214> This week, there were reports about some companies purchasing helicopters to provide quick transportation options within the city but how many Lagosians can afford that? Very soon in Lagos we’ll be witnessing traffic jams of helicopter in the air as we all know that the former Nigerian governors, heads of states/presidents, and generals can all afford private helicopters Posted by dele26| 08.08.2008 19:28

Auspicious  Villager

# 6 =dele26;4295081210>Very soon in Lagos we’ll be witnessing traffic jams of helicopter in the air as we all know that the former Nigerian governors, heads of states/presidents, and generals can all afford private helicopters :D:D:D Family life is being endangered and this is one other reason why no effort should be spared in completing the repairs quickly. Married persons who live on the mainland are having to separate from their loved ones to take up temporary residence on the island in order to escape the torture of commuting across the city. Some couples are expressing fears about infidelity on the part of wandering and separated partners. Of interest is the story in the Nigerian Tribune, of August 6 titled "3rd Mainland Bridge: Woman relocates to family house.. To beat traffic jam. Abandons husband, children." Many young executives have also taken up temporary residence in hotels in Victoria island. Others have to wake up by 4 am, in order to get to their offices on time. These are times that try men's souls. Abi o! Everybody siezes the occassion to make a quick buck or a quick f**k. :lol: Auspy. Posted by Auspicious| 08.08.2008 19:34

dele26  Villager

# 7 =bobokite;4295080945>They should just try and complete the project within the specified period of time and face other bridges in Lagos. the Lagos state government should also look into other means of transportation (water and railway) And make it efficient so that the traffic in Lagos will be reduced. Are you making a wish, command, or statement? _________________________ _________________________ =Auspicious;4295081214>:D:D:D Abi o! Everybody siezes the occassion to make a quick buck or a quick f**k. :lol: Auspy. Auspy, long time. E no dey hard for you to see wetin you won see Posted by dele26| 08.08.2008 19:44