Lagos Moves 4th Mainland Bridge To New Site

The Lagos state government said it has altered the initial alignment of the proposed fourth mainland bridge by moving it to another axis due to building and compensation fees.

Th commissioner for works and infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who made the revelation at a press conference in Lagos, said it was shifted to forestall payment of damages which might arise from properties that would be demolished on the right of ways.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat

He said residents of the state had moved into the alignment and erected massive structures that would milk the state in terms of compensation; hence the alignment had to be shifted. He said that at the last count, at least 69 buildings have emerged along the route earmarked for the project.

He said: “We did a survey to establish the right of way. We looked at various options. The option that seems best for us has about 4km of bridge on the water. Unfortunately, when we started the survey and enumeration, a lot of people have built unbelievable number of buildings. 
“I think people were speculative in anticipation of the bridge. I think the demolition we have to do is now about 69 buildings, so we have to rethink, the amount of compensation will run into billions if we have to do that.”
Meanwhile the governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode in an interview explained that the myopic policies of President Goodluck Jonathan prevented the Lagos state government from building a fourth mainland bridge.