LAGOS, Nigeria – David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has explained that the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos is aimed at preventing suicide attempts.
Umahi made the statement on Friday, April 4, 2025, during his appearance on ‘Politics Today,’ a programme on Channels Television.
In February, Umahi had announced that the federal government had completed the installation of surveillance cameras along the bridge.
The minister revealed that security personnel would actively monitor the footage from the CCTV cameras to enforce speed regulations and enhance the safety of the bridge.
Umahi expressed concern about sand excavation beneath the bridge’s deck, which has raised security alarms.
To address this, he stated that the newly installed CCTVs would help detect any illegal excavation activities within a 10-kilometer radius under the bridge.
He further noted that the surveillance system would play a crucial role in spotting individuals attempting suicide on the bridge.
“We have put CCTVs down under the deck so that anybody that is excavating sand within the 10-kilometre radius will be spotted,” Umahi explained.
He added that security personnel from various agencies, including the navy, police, army, and local security forces, would be stationed near the Third Mainland Bridge, watching the CCTV feed to ensure prompt action.
Umahi also commented on the ongoing work on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, expressing satisfaction with the progress.
He revealed that 30 kilometers of the road would be ready for President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 25, 2025.
