FILE: Minister of Works, David Umahi
The total rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State cost N43 billion, while the bridge’s Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) centre cost about N2.5 billion.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made this known on Monday in Lagos while addressing journalists.
Umahi said the scope of work covered the total rehabilitation of 14km by 14 metres in width across two carriageways.
“It also includes rebuilding and repainting of some concrete works, replacing expansion joints and installing solar lights.”
He said the establishment of the CCTV centre was part of the Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation contract.
“The total contract sum for the rehabilitation of the bridge is N43 billion.
“The cost of the CCTV centre is not more than N2.5 billion,” he said.
He emphasised that the CCTV centre did not cost N40 billion, as reported in some quarters.
Inaugurating the CCTV centre on Sunday, Umahi said that the current administration met a “terrible” Third Mainland Bridge.
“When we came on board in 2023, we met 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.
“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.”
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Dare, the CCTV centre is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“We have a boat that has been bought for surveillance of the bridge. There are two Hilux vans, too.
“We have 240 solar panels in this environment. The whole place is fully air-conditioned. We have 10 inverters inside the building.
“We have a transformer, a 300KVA transformer. We have a standby generating plant and monitoring screens,” he said.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported on Sunday that the Federal Government announced there were no plans to toll the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Umahi, who disclosed this on Sunday, added that a tow van and an ambulance were required on the bridge for emergencies.
(NAN)
