Federal Government Commissions ₦43 Billion CCTV Monitoring Centre for Third Mainland Bridge
The newly established monitoring centre is equipped with high-definition cameras designed for comprehensive coverage.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos facility on January 11, 2026, describing it as a critical component of the administration's broader strategy to secure and maintain federal infrastructure. The ₦43.1 billion project integrates advanced surveillance technology to monitor both the bridge deck and its underwater structural components, ensuring real-time oversight of one of Africa’s busiest thoroughfares.
Technical Specifications and Operational Scope
The newly established monitoring centre is equipped with high-definition cameras designed for comprehensive coverage. Beyond surface surveillance, the system includes underwater monitoring capabilities to detect structural anomalies or unauthorized activities around the bridge piers. To support this infrastructure, the project includes:
Dedicated Surveillance Boats: For continuous patrolling of the lagoon sections.
Operational Vehicles: Two Hilux units for rapid land-based deployment.
Emergency Response: A projected response time of two to five minutes for incidents occurring on the 11.8-kilometre structure.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, the total contract sum for the project is ₦43,118,028,778. Of this amount, ₦36,295,370,137 has been disbursed to the contractor as of the commissioning date.
Objectives of the Surveillance System
Minister Umahi emphasized that the deployment aims to address several chronic issues that have historically plagued the bridge. The primary objectives of the monitoring centre include:
Traffic Management: Controlling speeding and identifying vehicles causing obstructions.
Safety and Rescue: Rapid detection of vehicle fires and the prevention of suicide attempts.
Security Enforcement: Deters criminal activities through constant visual presence.
The Nigeria Police Force will manage the enforcement of speed limits and security protocols, utilizing the real-time data provided by the centre. Specialized lay-bys have been integrated into the bridge design to allow officers to pull over offenders without disrupting the flow of traffic.
Policy on Tolling and Maintenance
Addressing public concerns regarding the potential commercialization of the bridge, Minister Umahi clarified that the Federal Government has no plans to introduce tolling on the Third Mainland Bridge. He explained that the decision is based on technical and logistical considerations.
According to the Minister, installing tolling infrastructure would introduce "static loads" on the bridge structure and create significant traffic bottlenecks within the metropolitan area. The focus remains on maintenance and safety rather than revenue generation through tolls. This follows extensive rehabilitation work that addressed severe defects on pavement surfaces and expansion joints identified when the administration took office in 2023.
Conclusion
The commissioning of the Third Mainland Bridge CCTV monitoring centre represents a significant shift toward technology-driven infrastructure management in Nigeria. By combining structural health monitoring with public safety surveillance, the Ministry of Works aims to extend the lifespan of the bridge while reducing response times during emergencies. This facility sets a new benchmark for the protection of critical national assets and reinforces the government’s commitment to urban infrastructure security.
