The Federal Government of Nigeria has dispelled the rumour spreading on social media regarding the safety of the Third Mainland Bridge. The Federal Government reacted to a video content that has since gone viral, showing shaky joints of a section of the bridge.
Danger Alert : Video Shows Joints Of 3rd Mainland Bridge Dancing
According to Federal Government (FG), the video is purely misrepresented and should be disregarded.
In a press release from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the FG described the section captured in the video clip as part of spots already slated for repair.
“The General Public is hereby informed that the expansion joint shown in a Facebook video clip, is one of those slated for change during repairs to the Third Mainland Bridge which will commence soon.”
The seemingly shaky joints do not pose any structural danger
The Federal Government further stressed that the section captured in the video clip that appears frail does not pose any structural defect.
“It is still functioning and our engineers and consultants have advised that it does not pose any structural danger to the bridge and it is safe to use.”
It was further explained that the joints were already marked in the last maintenance check carried out during the last 3-day Investigative Maintenance in August 2018.
“Commuters and Lagos residents will recall that the Third Mainland Bridge was shut down for a 3-day Investigative Maintenance in August 2018.
Tests done on the expansion joints then – called static and dynamic load tests – were to check functionality. A number of expansion joints were identified for replacement then.”
Third mainland bridge is safe
“Therefore the Third Mainland Bridge is safe for use, and people should desist from spreading or sharing false information about the Bridge on Social Media platforms.”
FG explained recent developments
“More recently, in March this year, underwater confirmatory tests preceding the repair work to be done on the Bridge, were carried out on the piles to determine if there is further deterioration or not on the piles from that done in 2013. However, all the tests done preparatory to the closure of the Bridge to commence comprehensive Maintenance works indicate that the integrity of the Bridge is intact.”
“The expansion joints to be replaced are part of a regular bridge maintenance programme that has been neglected for decades which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is now addressing frontally on many bridges nationwide.
“Such maintenance works include resurfacing of the Bridge, along with several others, which this administration is also undertaking as the bridge users will attest to a better driving surface.”
