By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has disclosed that the full rehabilitation of Lagos’ iconic Third Mainland Bridge cost ₦43 billion, while the newly inaugurated state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance centre cost ₦2.5 billion.
Addressing journalists, Umahi said the bridge project, which spans 14 kilometres in length and 14 metres across both carriageways, involved extensive concrete rebuilding, repainting, replacement of expansion joints, and the installation of solar-powered lighting.
“The total contract sum for the rehabilitation of the bridge is ₦43 billion,” Umahi confirmed.
The minister also provided details about Nigeria’s first-ever CCTV surveillance centre, which he described as fully equipped for modern traffic monitoring. The facility features 240 solar panels, air-conditioning, inverters, a 300KVA transformer, a standby generator, monitoring screens, a surveillance boat, and two Hilux vans.
“The cost of the CCTV centre is not more than ₦2.5 billion,” Umahi said, clarifying that the facility was delivered efficiently and within budget.
He explained that the rehabilitation became necessary after the administration assumed office in 2023 and found the bridge in a state of serious disrepair.
“When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, both on the pavement surface, infrastructure above the water and even infrastructure below the water. This prompted President Tinubu’s directive: The President, therefore, directed the total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the surfaces of the Third Mainland Bridge and the replacement of the expansion joints,” Umahi stated.
The Third Mainland Bridge, a critical artery connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, has long been central to the city’s transport network, and the completion of the rehabilitation and security upgrades is expected to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for commuters.
