The Nigerian government has launched a N40 billion Close Circuit Television (CCTV) centre on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. The centre, built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), aims to enhance security and monitoring of the bridge.
At the inauguration, Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, noted that the current administration inherited a dilapidated Third Mainland Bridge in 2023. He explained that the president directed a comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge, including its surfaces, expansion joints, and underwater infrastructure. The minister commended the CCECC for the quality of work done and thanked them for a job well done.
Umahi also expressed concern about speeding on the bridge, urging motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations. The ministry will hand over a boat and two Hilux vans to the police for monitoring the bridge. The centre features a lay-by, allowing for real-time monitoring of activities on the bridge.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, described the centre as the first of its kind in Nigeria, with CCTV cameras monitoring both the underwater and surface areas of the bridge. The facility includes 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300KVA transformer, and a standby generating plant. Dare thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and Umahi for ensuring due process in establishing the centre.
The project, which cost N40.17 billion, includes 1268 solar street lights and a borehole. The Federal Government has paid N36 billion to the contractor, with the remaining amount to be paid upon completion of the project. The centre’s launch marks the first phase of commissioning, with a full-blown commissioning to follow upon completion of the bridge’s extension.
The inauguration of the CCTV centre highlights the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and security in the country. The Third Mainland Bridge, a critical transportation artery in Lagos, will benefit from enhanced monitoring and maintenance, ensuring the safety of commuters and reducing the risk of accidents. With the centre’s advanced technology and equipment, the government aims to provide a safer and more efficient transportation system for the public.
