Umahi: Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation cost N43bn, CCTV centre N2.5bn

 

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Monday said the Federal Government spent N43 billion on the total rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, with an additional N2.5 billion used to establish a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) control centre.

Umahi disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lagos, clarifying reports that had put the cost of the CCTV project at N40 billion.

According to him, the scope of work on the bridge covered the complete rehabilitation of a 14-kilometre stretch with a width of 14 metres on dual carriageways.

“The work also involved the rebuilding and repainting of some concrete structures, replacement of expansion joints and the installation of solar-powered streetlights,” the minister said.

He explained that the CCTV control centre was an integral part of the rehabilitation contract, stressing that the total contract sum for the bridge stood at N43 billion, while the CCTV facility did not exceed N2.5 billion.

Umahi recalled that upon assumption of office in 2023, the administration met the Third Mainland Bridge, as well as the Carter and Iddo bridges, in deplorable condition.

“We met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, with serious issues on the pavement, surface and both above and below the water infrastructure,” he said.

He added that President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the bridges, including the replacement of worn-out expansion joints.

Also speaking, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, described the CCTV centre as the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Dare said the facility is equipped with surveillance boats, two Hilux vans, 240 solar panels, inverters, monitoring screens, a 300KVA transformer and a standby power generating plant, adding that the entire complex is fully air-conditioned.

He noted that the centre would enhance security monitoring and rapid response along the Third Mainland Bridge corridor.