The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has explained that the Closed-Circuit Television, also known as surveillance cameras, installed on the famous Third Mainland Bridge are meant to prevent cases of suicide and illegal sand mining.
Umahi disclosed this while providing updates on his ministry’s projects in Lagos State following the traffic disturbance caused by the sudden closure of the Independence Bridge during the week.
He highlighted initiatives undertaken by the Federal Government to protect the integrity of roads and bridges and broader measures to improve safety and security in the commercial capital.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Friday, April 4, 2025, the Minister stressed that the surveillance system was introduced not only to monitor security incidents but also to help prevent suicide attempts on the bridge.
He added that an examination house, from which a team consisting of police, navy, army, and local security officials will watch footage from the CCTV cameras, has been built beside the bank of the Third Mainland Bridge.
At the same time, he expressed worry over the excavation of sand under the deck of the public facility.
“We have put CCTVs down under the deck so that anybody who is excavating sand within a 10-kilometre radius will be spotted. We have built, beside the bank of the sea on Third Mainland Bridge, an examination house where we have the police, navy, army and local security,” he said.
“They will all be there watching the CCTV so that anybody who is trying to take his life on the third mainland bridge, they will spot the person. With this CCTV, there will be no more excavation of sand under the deck around the pies.”
