Concerns have been expressed in recent times over the state of some of our bridges. This is in view of the collapse of bridges even in places where it was hitherto considered impossible for a bridge to deteriorate to the level of collapsing. But now we all know better: there is nowhere in the world a bridge cannot collapse if concrete steps are not taken to avert such a misfortune.

That is why I am surprised that the officials of the Federal Ministry of Works are still adopting an attitude of ‘we dey kampe’ in spite of the numerous concerns that have been expressed over the condition of the 11.8km Third Mainland Bridge. If anybody is in doubt that something could indeed be wrong with the bridge, a detailed report on Channels Television by one of its reporters, Deji Badmus, about two weeks ago should serve as a wake-up call. The reporter actually went on a boat ride, with his cameraman, to capture the shifts noticeable underneath the bridge. Vivid pictures of cracks on that bridge were brought to viewers. And something was said about the pillars on which the bridge is resting.

If I remember very well, that was not the first time somebody was raising an alarm over the state of the Third Mainland Bridge. But many of those concerns were rebuffed by ministry officials. The vibrations, shifts and cracks on the bridge are nothing to worry about, we have been told. They are normal. Maybe soon, even after the collapse (if it eventually happens), it will be explained away as nothing beyond the ordinary.

The truth is that I do not look forward to going to the island anymore, especially during rush hour, because of the fear of being thrown into or submerged in the deep waters of the ocean if anything happens. I have a choice because I live and work on the mainland. So, I can actually decide when to go to the island. But there are thousands, if not millions, of people who have to cross that bridge every morning because they live on the mainland but work on the island. And they are often caught in traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge, sometimes for hours.

I am not an engineer, but commonsense tells me that that bridge often carries more weight than it was designed to carry. What with the thousands of cars, buses and other vehicles that crawl at snail speed on the bridge during rush hour? And it is not uncommon to experience a total traffic jam on the bridge which lasts sometimes for hours. In one of such a situation recently, I thought I felt the bridge sway more than once. It could have well been my imagination, but I have heard a ministry official explain to worried callers and interviewer on a television programme that all the things they were trying to describe as a problem were actually normal.

My fear is, if the Third Mainland Bridge caves in under the excessive weight it is forced to bear on a daily basis, what will happen to the thousands of vehicles and people on it? I hardly ply that route, but I have friends and relatives who do so on a daily basis. Just last night, my wife warned me to stay away from that bridge for now. My question is: what about the thousands or millions of other people who cannot stay away from that bridge?

The fact that we are ill-prepared for any rescue operation or emergencies generally does not need any exaggerating here. But it is important to note that if the Third Mainland Bridge ever collapses, it may take us three weeks to respond to the situation. We may even need to ship in the equipment required for a rescue operation from abroad. And this will take us weeks or even months. The loss then will necessarily have to be monumental. That is why I feel the best approach is to pay proper attention NOW to the Third Mainland Bridge as any disaster there will be more than what we can handle.

The officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and other agencies charged with the responsibility of maintaining the bridge should please spend more time on it (and under it) in order to see and experience for themselves what the users have been complaining about. It is not enough to sit in their cosy offices and theorise on the possibility of the bridge collapsing. Those who use the bridge on a daily basis feel the vibrations, see the shifts and cracks, and experience the sways. They know it is possible for the bridge to collapse. The only way to allay their fears is to take practical steps in ensuring that the Third Mainland Bridge does not give way. And those steps must be seen to have been taken.    

Robot  # 1 | 04.12.2007 11:48

Concerns have been expressed in recent times ...Read the full article.

Adeola Aderounmu  # 2 | 04.12.2007 14:29

That is why I am surprised that the officials of the Federal Ministry of Works are still adopting an attitude of ‘we dey kampe’ in spite of the numerous concerns that have been expressed over the condition of the 11.8km Third Mainland Bridge. Surprised! Don’t be. It is the Nigerian thing. Nobody cares! Those officials are only interested in their pockets and how to embezzle funds. Imagine how appropriate it will be if the convoy of the Minster of works and housing is travelling on that road when the anticipated collapse would happen! It will be tantamount to suicide, isn’t it? AND People like you and the Channels reporter would be justified If I remember very well, that was not the first time somebody was raising an alarm over the state of the Third Mainland Bridge. The fact that we are ill-prepared for any rescue operation or emergencies generally does not need any exaggerating here. Prevention is better than cure anyday! In a country where emergency services are almost non-existent or extremely poor, the consequences will be monumental-rightly said sir! The only way to allay their fears is to take practical steps in ensuring that the Third Mainland Bridge does not give way. And those steps must be seen to have been taken. Very good suggestion, Thank you sir! Let us keep highlighting our problems and proffer solutions where necessary.