Updated: Third Mainland Bridge rehab costs N43bn, says Umahi as FG inaugurates N2.5bn CCTV Centre

Updated: Third Mainland Bridge rehab costs N43bn, says Umahi as FG inaugurates N2.5bn CCTV Centre

The Federal Government has disclosed that the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos cost N43 billion, while the newly commissioned Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring centre attached to the project gulped about N2.5 billion.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made the clarification on Monday in Lagos while addressing journalists, dismissing claims in some quarters that the CCTV facility gulped as much as N40 billion.

According to Umahi, the rehabilitation works covered a total stretch of 14 kilometres by 14 metres width on two carriageways, including extensive repairs to both surface and sub-surface infrastructure.

“The scope of work includes total rehabilitation of the bridge, rebuilding and repainting of some concrete components, replacement of expansion joints and the installation of solar lighting,” the minister said.

He explained that the CCTV centre was an integral part of the Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation contract, stressing that the entire bridge project cost N43 billion, while the surveillance facility did not exceed N2.5 billion.

Inaugurating the CCTV monitoring centre on Sunday on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Umahi said the administration inherited critical federal bridges in a deplorable state in 2023.

READ ALSO:

• US Airstrikes Kill 155 Lakurawa Terrorists in Sokoto, Report Says
• Impeachment Crisis: Rivers Lawmakers Divided Over Move to Remove Fubara
• BREAKING: Real Madrid Sack Xabi Alonso Hours After Super Cup Final Defeat to Barcelona

“When we came on board, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, with serious issues on the pavement, surface, superstructure above the water and even the infrastructure below the water,” he said.

He noted that President Tinubu consequently ordered a total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the bridges, including the replacement of worn-out expansion joints on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Federal Ministry of Works described the CCTV facility as the first of its kind on any bridge in Nigeria, providing real-time surface and underwater surveillance to boost safety, security and rapid emergency response.

Umahi said the monitoring system would help curb speeding, traffic violations and security threats on the bridge, adding that patrol vehicles and a surveillance boat had been deployed to strengthen enforcement.

He further stated that the project, being implemented in phases, would serve as a model for similar surveillance installations on major highways and bridges across the country.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engineer Olufemi Dare, said the centre would significantly reduce response time to incidents on the bridge.

Dare disclosed that the facility is largely powered by renewable energy, with 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, batteries, a 300KVA transformer and a standby generator.

He added that two Hilux patrol vans, a surveillance boat, full air-conditioning and multiple monitoring screens were also provided to ensure round-the-clock operations.

Updated: Third Mainland Bridge rehab costs N43bn, says Umahi as FG inaugurates N2.5bn CCTV Centre