FG Commissions ₦40bn CCTV Monitoring Hub for Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos
Story: written by Daniel January 12,0226
The federal government has officially inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) control centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, aimed at boosting security and traffic management.
At the ceremony on Sunday, Minister of Works, David Umahi, noted that the project followed major rehabilitation works on the bridge, which began after the administration took office in 2023.
“When we assumed office, the Third Mainland Bridge was in a terrible state,” Umahi said, highlighting that Carter and Iddo bridges also required comprehensive inspection and repairs both above and below water. He added that President Bola Tinubu approved full rehabilitation, including replacement of expansion joints, improving driving conditions and extending the bridge’s lifespan.
The newly commissioned CCTV system, first announced in 2025, is intended to prevent accidents, curb speeding, and enhance security, with live footage monitored by personnel to enforce traffic regulations. Umahi explained that the contract also provided a surveillance boat and two Hilux vans for the police to support rapid response on the bridge.
“The system allows us to see everything happening on the bridge,” Umahi said, cautioning motorists against reckless driving.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, described the centre as the first of its kind on any Nigerian bridge, equipped for real-time monitoring of both vehicular and maritime activity. He detailed that the facility includes 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300 KVA transformer, a standby generator, multiple monitoring screens, and fully air-conditioned control rooms. The project also covers 1,268 solar-powered street lights and a borehole system.
The project, awarded at ₦40.17 billion, has seen about ₦36 billion paid to the contractor, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with further commissioning planned after work on the bridge’s extension is completed.
Dare praised President Tinubu for approving the initiative and commended Umahi for ensuring proper oversight and adherence to due process throughout the project.
