The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has revealed that the total cost of rehabilitating the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State was N43 billion, while the newly established Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) control centre cost about N2.5 billion.
Umahi disclosed this on Monday while speaking to journalists in Lagos. He explained that the rehabilitation work covered a total length of 14 kilometres with a width of 14 metres on two carriageways.
According to him, the project involved complete rehabilitation of the bridge, including rebuilding and repainting damaged concrete sections, replacing expansion joints, and installing solar-powered lighting.
“It also includes rebuilding and repainting of some concrete works, replacing expansion joints, and putting solar lights,” Umahi said.
He clarified that the CCTV control centre was part of the overall rehabilitation contract and did not cost anywhere near the figures being circulated online.
“The total contract sum for rehabilitation of the bridge is N43 billion. The cost of the CCTV centre is not more than N2.5 billion,” he stated.
Umahi stressed that reports claiming the CCTV centre alone cost N40 billion were false and misleading.
Speaking during the inauguration of the CCTV centre on Sunday, the minister said the current administration met the Third Mainland Bridge in a very poor condition when it assumed office in 2023.
“When we came on board in 2023, we saw a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, both on the pavement surface, infrastructure above the water, and even infrastructure below the water,” he said.
He added that President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a complete re-evaluation and total rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge, including the replacement of faulty expansion joints.
Meanwhile, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Dare, described the CCTV control centre as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
He explained that the facility is fully equipped to ensure effective monitoring and security of the bridge.
“We have a boat that has been bought for surveillance of the bridge. There are also two Hilux vans,” Dare said.
He added that the centre is powered by 240 solar panels, fully air-conditioned, and equipped with 10 inverters, a 300KVA transformer, a standby generator, and multiple monitoring screens to ensure round-the-clock surveillance.
According to him, the facility will greatly enhance safety, security, and maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge.
