The Federal Government has formally inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed‑circuit television (CCTV) surveillance centre on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State, marking a significant step in strengthening security monitoring and traffic management on one of Nigeria’s busiest transport routes.
The facility was commissioned on Sunday by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, in the presence of senior officials and security stakeholders.
The CCTV centre, constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at a contract sum of ₦40.17 billion, is designed to monitor activities on the bridge and underneath it, equipping authorities with real‑time visibility of vehicular movement, potential security threats and unsafe driving behaviours.
According to the works ministry, about ₦36 billion has been paid to the contractor as part of the project execution.
Inaugurating the centre, Senator Umahi said the current administration met a “very terrible Third Mainland Bridge” in 2023 and initiated extensive rehabilitation works, including resurfacing and change of expansion joints, under the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said the CCTV centre complements the physical infrastructure improvements, providing a technological layer for security and traffic oversight.
Umahi highlighted that the contract includes surveillance support equipment — a boat and two Toyota Hilux vans — which will be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force to assist in patrols and rapid response along the 11‑kilometre bridge.
He stated that the system allows monitoring of the bridge’s length and surrounding waters, and can support enforcement of speed limits and other traffic regulations.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, described the CCTV facility as the first of its kind in Nigeria, with advanced features including 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300 KVA transformer, a standby generating plant, multiple monitoring screens, and 1,268 solar‑powered streetlights incorporated within the broader project scope.
A borehole facility was also installed as part of the infrastructure enhancement.
Beyond traffic surveillance, officials have underscored the centre’s role in enhancing public safety and deterring criminal activities along the bridge and its approaches, which serve thousands of commuters daily.
The system’s capacity to monitor events in real time is expected to aid quick intervention by security agencies and improve road user compliance with safety regulations.
Umahi also urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules and respect speed limits, noting that the surveillance system will help curb reckless driving and reduce accidents.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which links Lagos Island to the mainland, is a vital economic artery and has been a focal point of federal infrastructure investments.
In addition to the CCTV centre, the government has ruled out tolling the bridge, with Umahi explaining that tolling infrastructure could impose additional static loads that might compromise structural integrity and create bottlenecks in the urban corridor.
Security operations on the bridge will be led by the police, with provisions for emergency response coordination and a projected five‑minute response time in case of incidents.
The inauguration represents a blend of physical rehabilitation and technology‑driven oversight, reflecting the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and enhance safety and security for road users.
Continued commissioning activities are expected as additional phases of the bridge extension project reach completion.
