Oredola Adeola

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Third Mainland Bridge CCTV Monitoring Centre, a ₦40 billion facility powered by 240 solar panels, designed to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the bridge, including both its superstructure and underwater sections.

Engr. David Umahi, Minister of Works, in his comment during the first phase of the project’s commissioning, stated that President Bola Tinubu, upon assuming office in 2023 and inheriting what he described as a “very terrible” Third Mainland Bridge.

He added that the President directed a comprehensive re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the bridge deck, including the replacement of its expansion joints.

The Minister further revealed that upon assumption of office in 2023, the Tinubu’s administration met a “very terrible” condition of the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge.

He noted that the deterioration affected the pavement, surface, infrastructure above the water and even infrastructure below the water.

According to him, the surveillance boat and two Hilux vans included in the contract would be handed over to the police to support monitoring activities on the bridge, noting that other security agencies could be incorporated if required.

He explained that the project includes a lay-by on the bridge to enable real-time monitoring of activities.

Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, while corroborating the Minister’s remarks, disclosed that the project marked the first phase of commissioning, with full commissioning to follow upon completion of the bridge extension.

Dare described the CCTV centre as the first of its kind in Nigeria to be deployed on a bridge and highway.

He added that the facility includes a surveillance boat, two Hilux vans, 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, full air-conditioning, a 300 KVA transformer, a standby generating plant, multiple monitoring screens and about 1,268 solar streetlights under the contract.

Dare emphasised that the project was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at ₦40.17 billion, out of which the Federal Government has paid ₦36 billion to the contractor.