Deutsche Bank shows interest in financing Nigeria’s bridge infrastructure, including the Carter Bridge replacement and 3rd Mainland Bridge rehabilitation, during a meeting with Works Minister David Umahi in Abuja.

ABUJA | Thursday, December 4, 2025

Bridge infrastructure development took center stage in Abuja on December 2, 2025, when the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, held a strategic meeting with senior executives of Deutsche Bank. The discussions focused on financing options for two critical national assets: the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Mabushi-Abuja, brought together the bank’s top officials-Moritz Dornemann, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Structured Trade and Export Finance, and Andreas Voss, Chief Country Representative in Nigeria. Their mission was clear: to formally indicate the bank’s interest in supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize aging bridge infrastructure.

Dornemann noted that Nigeria’s economic future is heavily tied to the state of its transport corridors, saying the bank viewed the replacement of the Carter Bridge and the rehabilitation of the 3rd Mainland Bridge as “projects of national significance with long-term economic benefits.” According to him, the Tinubu administration’s focus on durable infrastructure has signaled to global financiers that the country is taking bold steps toward reshaping its development trajectory.

Voss reinforced this point, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “putting the nation’s physical infrastructure at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda.” He also praised the Ministry of Works for what he described as a renewed culture of transparency, speed, and efficiency in project delivery. He added that their team’s independent assessment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway reinforced confidence in Nigeria’s engineering capacity, especially with Hitech Construction Nigeria Ltd delivering what he called “world-class workmanship.”

The bank’s executives further remarked that the highway project’s early milestones had given Deutsche Bank assurance that Nigeria’s large-scale infrastructure pipeline offered strong financing prospects. They disclosed that, based on project quality and feasibility, the bank would be willing to expand its participation, particularly if the government continues its current pace of implementation.

Responding, Minister Umahi thanked the delegation for their readiness to collaborate, revealing that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway had been oversubscribed by more than $100 million. He acknowledged the bank’s view that the project’s current valuation may be lower than its true worth, noting that such assessments help strengthen investor confidence.

Touching on the Lagos bridges, Umahi explained that the Carter Bridge had deteriorated beyond simple repair. “We are carrying out temporary remedial works only to maintain its stability,” he said, adding that technical studies showed the bridge required full replacement to meet modern safety standards. He emphasized that the goal was to deliver a durable structure capable of supporting Lagos’ mobility needs for decades.

On the 3rd Mainland Bridge, the Minister stated that while the structure remained fundamentally sound, its underwater components presented worrying defects. He said a comprehensive rehabilitation programme was being designed to reinforce its foundations and extend its lifespan by another 50 years. According to him, nothing short of an extensive underwater intervention would guarantee the safety of millions of daily users.

Umahi reassured the Deutsche Bank team that both projects were undergoing “a completely transparent, merit-based procurement process.” He stressed that successful bidders would only emerge after rigorous technical and financial evaluations. He affirmed that global partners like Deutsche Bank would be kept fully informed as the process advanced.

Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister, Uchenna Orji, who provided additional clarity after the meeting, said the discussions demonstrated the administration’s willingness to welcome credible international financiers into Nigeria’s infrastructure space. He described the engagement as “a forward step in creating sustainable, well-funded solutions for Nigeria’s most critical bridge assets.”

With bridge renewal now a top priority for the Ministry, the conversation with Deutsche Bank is expected to open a broader window for foreign investment in Nigeria’s transportation backbone.

Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.

December 3, 2025

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that it has taken into custody one Oluchukwu Anyaoku, who was seen in a viral video allegedly threatening to destroy police formations in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Awka. Ikenga said the arrest followed the circulation of an online clip in which the suspect issued violent threats and vowed to attack all police facilities in the area.

According to the statement, operatives attached to the Obosi Division acted promptly on December 2 after reviewing the video.

“The suspect was traced, arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

“The operatives also recovered a firearm and a cutlass in his possession.

“Preliminary observations indicate that the suspect may require professional medical evaluation, and appropriate procedures are being followed in this regard,” he said.

Ikenga added that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for full investigation and further review of all information obtained so far. The Police Command has confirmed that all necessary protocols are being observed as the inquiry progresses.

Visit GMTNewsng for more news.

Gov. Mbah presents ₦1.62trn 2026 budget, as John Chukwuma Ogbodo backs renewed momentum for LG development

John Chukwuma Ogbodo was present as Gov. Mbah presented a ₦1.62trn 2026 budget. He says the governor’s reforms guide his service delivery strategy in Nkanu West.

Enugu | Wednesday, December 3, 2025

John Chukwuma Ogbodo was among the senior government executives present on Tuesday as Governor Peter Mbah laid a ₦1.62 trillion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year before the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget, themed “Budget of Renewed Momentum,” Governor Mbah stated that the proposal represents a 66.5% increase from the 2025 fiscal year and is designed to consolidate the administration’s achievements over the last two years.

John Chukwuma Ogbodo executive chairman of Nkanu West LG Council at the Enugu State House of Assembly during the budget presentation, Tuesday 

The Enugu State Governor explained that the 2026 fiscal plan is anchored on four pillars: empowerment and education, inclusive and people-centred development, good governance, and economic transformation-a framework he said will sustain the state’s growth trajectory.

A breakdown of the spending plan shows ₦321 billion (20%) for recurrent expenditure and ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects. The budget is projected to be funded through ₦870 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, ₦387 billion in federal allocation, and ₦329 billion from capital receipts.

Sectoral allocation places the economic sector in the lead with ₦825 billion, followed by the social sector with ₦644 billion. The administration sector receives ₦128 billion, the law and justice sector ₦15 billion, and the regional sector ₦2 billion.

Governor Mbah reported an 83% implementation rate for the 2025 budget and expressed confidence that performance would rise further before year-end.

Among the attendees at the budget session was the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Mr. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, whose presence reflected ongoing alignment between state-level fiscal priorities and local governance strategies.

 John Ogbodo (R) and other Council Chairmen 

Speaking after the presentation, Ogbodo described the budget as “a disciplined fiscal roadmap that reinforces accountable development across all LGAs.”

He added that the governor’s leadership continues to shape grassroots governance: “The policy direction outlined by the governor offers a structured guide for how we intensify service delivery, strengthen transparency, and expand community-focused outcomes in Nkanu West.”

Chukwuma Ogbodo further remarked that the renewed momentum at the state level sets the tone for councils: “The governor’s results-driven approach challenges us to replicate the same impact and efficiency at the local level. Our 2026 agenda in Nkanu West will reflect measurable value for our people.”

In his response, Speaker of the House, Mr. Uche Ugwu, commended Governor Mbah for the transformation recorded within two years and assured accelerated legislative action on the appropriation bill.

Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.