Some Nigerians on Twitter have reacted to the approval of N6.28 billion given by the Federal Government for the maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa announced the approval.
Fashola said the 24-month repair will cover 11 kilometres, including interchanges, ramps, and critical links.
According to him, the move aligns with Executive Order 11 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2022, giving legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy.
“Council approved a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the Third Mainland Bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6.28 billion for a period of 24 months,” he stated.
The approval comes a few weeks after the Lagos State Government said it would undertake rehabilitation works on the 32-year-old bridge to repair failed and peeled asphaltic sections and substructure.
Taking to their various handles, some Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction at the approval, arguing that it was just another way to waste or siphon public funds, given the “huge” amount of money approved.
The majority of them also argue that maintenance of the facility should not cost that much since it was not a new bridge to be constructed.
Below are some of their reactions:
“Sebi dem don borrow Una money again. Abeg lavish jare..how much dem take build d bridge sef, reminds me of one particular saying “money to buy car easy but na maintenance money be d koko”..😂😂😂.Some news no suppose Dey comot, Una go just intentionally vex person..”
Sebi dem don borrow Una money again..Abeg lavish jare..how much dem take build d bridge sef , reminds me of one particular saying “money to buy car easy but na maintenance money be d koko”..😂😂😂..Some news no suppose Dey comot, Una go just intentionally vex person..
— hef (@obehki1) April 13, 2023
“Na soso approve una dey approve this dying minute of una tenure 🤦♂️.”
Na soso approve una dey approve this dying minute of una tenure 🤦♂️.
— OMO AJIFOLAJIFAOLA 🤴 (@Prince_Bamidele) April 13, 2023
“Na every year una dey maintain the bridge?… Oga Fash, I hail o”
Na every year una dey maintain the bridge?… Oga Fash, I hail o
— Àlàbí 🇳🇬 (@oksanazonnet) April 13, 2023
“Last minute looting. Una for kuku leave am make we Kuku fill the potholes by ourselves na. Ole, Barawo.”
Last minute looting. Una for kuku leave am make we Kuku fill the potholes by ourselves na. Ole , Barawo
— Esiegbe Efe Jonathan (@efe_esiegbe) April 13, 2023
“The way this government is just approving money anyhow na wa o”
The way this government is just approving money anyhow na wa o
— Unchi (@Unchi4U) April 13, 2023
“Chai…!! Potholes!! chileke mehhh!!
How much them take build the bridge??”
Chai…!! Potholes!! chileke mehhh!!
How much them take build the bridge??
— Vi©†ør 🇳🇬🏴 (@ZaddySlim101) April 13, 2023
“The Lord is our strength…. Nigeria we have totally lost it.”
The lord is our strength…. Nigeria we have totally lost it.
— Taofeek Olamilekan Olusesi (@ola_yomighty) April 13, 2023
“6 billion should start up a New bridge naaa.”
6billion should start up a New bridge naaa
— |t§ t£dd¥ 🐹🐻 (@dsilentdisciple) April 13, 2023
“Gooooddddddddd they are robbing us in daylight.”
Gooooddddddddd they are robbing us in daylight
— BarcaOfficial💙❤️ (@Abayomi54343567) April 13, 2023
“For maintenance or to rebuild? 😮”
For maintenance or to rebuild? 😮
— Agboola Yunus O. (@Whyesofficial) April 13, 2023
“Recourse and the so-called elite and professionals are keeping quiet.
Very unfortunate only consumption no production. Eko Bridge is taking more than a year to fix. People suffering and this is the news we are getting. Hmmmm“
Recourse and the so called elite and professionals are keeping quiet.
Very unfortunate only consumption no production.
Eko Bridge is taking more than a year to fix. People suffering and this is the news we are getting. Hmmmm
— Luke Ifeanyi (@LukeIfeanyi3) April 13, 2023
“I pity that money.”
I pity that money
— David Adams (@jamanstone9) April 13, 2023
“🤣🤣🤣
MONEY GO DON CUT CORNERS BEFORE E REACH CONTRACTORS!”
🤣🤣🤣
MONEY GO DON CUT CORNERS BEFORE E REACH CONTRACTORS!
— Freeman ✊🏾🪓✊🏾 (@Elokzy) April 13, 2023
“N6.28B to fill the potholes.”
N6.28B to fill the potholes
— daniels🦍🇺🇸 (@_danrule) April 13, 2023
“We know pls don’t disturb us about this useless project.”
We know pls don't disturb us about this useless project
— Aunty Halima (@Auntyhalimaa) April 13, 2023
“Maintenance or building a new one? 6.2 billion Naira, hope the efcc is still at work…”
Maintenance or building a new one? 6.2 billion Naira, hope the efcc are still at work…
— Don (@Louis61209766) April 13, 2023
“I wonder ooo, efcc keh, once the money is out. Efcc go collect their share and nothing will happen😂 Nigeria! They don finish us😂😂😂”
I wonder ooo , efcc keh , once the money is out. Efcc go collect there share and nothing will happen😂 Nigeria! They don finish us😂😂😂
— Hassan (@HassanOkeftty) April 13, 2023
“Federal government there’s a need for you to increase the amount.. cost of materials is much now. The amount won’t be sufficient plz. Increase it.”
Federal government there's a need for you to increase the amount.. cost of materials are much now. The amount won't be sufficient plz. Increase it.
— Honesty (@OluchiOkere6) April 13, 2023
“People are dying in poverty, youths no job, use this money and industrialised Nigeria, stop sending Nigeria money into private pockets 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.”
People are dying in poverty,youths no job ,use this money and industrialised Nigeria, stop sending Nigeria money into private pockets 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— justice and Equity ✊ (@a_ochenje) April 13, 2023
“They borrowed to loot 😔 APC and Buhari’s administration.”
https://twitter.com/Kantr3z/status/1646387716202872832?t=Letv7PMlzgtxGwYirL9bxw&s=19
“N6.28B I don’t blame Nigeria political leaders/Elites but oppressed & impoverished Nigerians, who kept voting the same old criminals into power to consolidate corruption, looting, bad governance, constant bloodletting & general backwardness due to religious & ethnic jingoism.”
N6.28B I don't blame Nigeria political leaders/Elites but oppressed & impoverished Nigerians, who kept voting the same old criminals into power to consolidate corruption, looting, bad governance, constant blood letting & general backwardness due to religious & ethnic jingoism.
— Emeka Eric1947 (@EEric1947) April 13, 2023
“Spending all the time with no income… Rubbish govt.”
Spending all the time no income…. Rubbish govt
— Sara (@Frankkchukwuma) April 13, 2023
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a total of eleven (11) suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” were on Wednesday, arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).