• Image: Carter Bridge Lagos

The Federal Government has announced plans for the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State, saying that the existing bridge is irredeemable.

During a comprehensive inspection of the bridge under the deck, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made these remarks in Lagos.

He said: “What we did today is to see whether we can salvage the ramps, so that we cut down the cost of construction and the time of construction.

“That decision, we could not take. We need consultants and Berger to put their observations, and we have instruments we use to determine whether the observations are right or wrong.

“If the observations are as they have sent to us, then, it means that both the ramp and the main axial section of the Carter Bridge will have to go,” Umahi said.

He said that the previous Carter Bridge was demolished by explosives and is still underwater.

“Whatever we are doing, we have to consider removal of that so as not to affect our navigational activities.”

Umahi also said that the Federal Government wanted to determine if it could still salvage something from the Carter Bridge while taking a different alignment.

“The critical decision we have to take is: since it seems that all stakeholders are at peace that a new Carter Bridge should be constructed, is there any way we can salvage and repair something to be in use while we take a different alignment?”

The Nigeria national grid collapsed again on Wednesday.

Consequently, the Disco loads of all power distribution companies across the country aside Ibadan DisCo have come down to zero megawatt.

The Nigeria National Grid, reported on its X handle that the megawatt (MW) generated dropped from 2,917.83 (MW) to 1.5 (MW) between 11 am and 12 pm on Wednesday, adding, “System restoration is in progress.”

The statement read, “Dear Valued Customers, Please be informed that the power outage currently being experienced is due to a loss of supply from the national grid at 11:23 hrs today, affecting electricity supply across our franchise areas.

“Rest assured, we are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure power is restored once the grid is stabilized. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Tragedy struck yesterday as 15 Jehovah’s Witness worshippers lost their lives in a fatal road crash at Awomama Bridge in Imo State.

The accident occurred at about 6:45 p.m. when a trailer driving against traffic collided with a bus carrying the victims.

The witnesses from the Agwa community in Oguta Local Council, were returning from the annual Jehovah’s Witness Assembly Convention in Uli, Anambra State.

All passengers in the bus reportedly died on the spot. Their remains have been deposited in a morgue.

The Chairman of Oguta Local Council, Ifeanyi Nnani, expressed shock over the incident.

In a statement signed by his aide, Orum Desmond, he commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for God’s comfort and strength for them in their time of grief.