The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has revealed that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been installed on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, as part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing safety and security. Umahi, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday, emphasized that the new surveillance system is designed not only to monitor security issues but also to address suicide attempts on the iconic bridge.
According to Umahi, the CCTV cameras have been strategically placed underneath the deck of the Third Mainland Bridge, enabling authorities to detect and prevent illegal sand mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of the bridge. He noted that a dedicated security setup has been established at the bridge, with a security hub constructed beside the sea bank. This facility will house personnel from the police, navy, army, and local security, all working together to monitor the CCTV feeds. Umahi explained that this arrangement would help authorities detect individuals attempting suicide on the bridge, ensuring prompt intervention. The cameras will also ensure that any illegal sand excavation under the bridge’s deck is swiftly identified and stopped.
The minister also addressed recent concerns regarding the temporary closure and reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos. He clarified that the closure was necessary due to a structural fault in the approach slab of the bridge, which had become compromised. Umahi explained that the original design of the slab was flawed, which led to its eventual collapse after the sand filling beneath it eroded. He pointed out that the cantilever approach used for the slab’s construction was unsuitable for the location, further contributing to the structural failure.
In addition, Umahi spoke about the progress of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, expressing satisfaction with the work done so far. He revealed that a significant section of the highway is on track for completion, with plans for a major section of the road to be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on May 25, 2025. He highlighted that approximately 15 kilometres of the first section, including two carriageways, had already been completed, with about 5 kilometres of work at the end of Section 1 at Eleko. Umahi expressed confidence that by the scheduled inauguration date, 30 kilometres of continuous road would be available for the president to commission.
