‘Ambode to unveil preferred bidder for Lagos 4th Mainland Bridge in June’
Bidding process for the fourth Mainland Bridge that will link parts of Lekki in Epe axis and suburbs of Ikorodu in Lagos State has reached advanced stage, suggesting that a preferred bidder will be named in June.
The State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, who made the disclosure at a news conference to commemorate the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, revealed that the emerging iconic engineering edifice was designed to provide alternative route for commuters and residents to enter and exit Lekki and Victoria Island.
Business Hilights recalls that Governor Ambode had on May 25, 2016, signed a concession agreement with consortium of domestic and foreign firms to construct the 4th Mainland Bridge with a length of 38 kilometres at a whopping cost of N844 billion.
The consortium comprised Visible Asset Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Hi-tech Construction Limited, J.P. Morgan, Eldorado Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Access Bank.
Even after the concession agreement was signed, an Advance Engineering Consultant, Mr. Ger Horgan put the actual cost of the bridge at N790 billion, while the 10-year follow-up programme for structural pavement between 2018 and 2033 would gulp N5 billion.
However, considering observed delays in real takeoff of the construction activities, on May 22, 2017, the state government announced its decision to terminate the MoU it entered with a consortium of firm to construct the Fourth Mainland Bridge at N844 billion.
Akinsanya noted that “In the last one year, the state received a series of proposals from prospective partners. As head of the technical committee, we look at technical proposals submitted by the bidders. After the exercise, we ended up shortlisting three bidders.
“After that, the finance and technical committee met to check bids submitted. Presently, we are at the last stage of interview session”.
According to him, “the bidders will be directed to submit further information, basically to convince representative of the government. By June, we will announce prefer bidder for the project. The reason we embark on this rigorous exercise was to ensure that appropriate partner is selected for the project”.
“This project is priority to Ambode. Before end of the year, work on the Fourth Mainland Bridge will commence. We are on last phase of selection,” the Commissioner revealed.
