The Federal Government has ruled out any plan to introduce tolling on the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, reassuring motorists that the vital transport artery will remain free of charges.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, gave the assurance on Sunday while responding to journalists after inaugurating the newly completed N40 billion Closed Circuit Television Camera Centre installed on the bridge.
Umahi explained that tolling the bridge would require additional construction works that could compromise its structural integrity and worsen traffic conditions within the city.
“We will not engage in construction on this bridge because it will entail static load on the bridge,” the minister said.
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He added that the bridge’s location within the city makes tolling impractical.
“It is also within the town, so it will introduce many bottlenecks. That is why we are not tolling this bridge,” Umahi stated.
On security, the minister disclosed that policing of the 11 kilometre bridge would be handled by the Nigeria Police Force, with rapid response infrastructure already in place.
“We are allowing the police to do the needful,” he said, adding that the security arrangement would guarantee a five minute response time to incidents on the bridge.
Umahi also revealed that emergency support systems would be stationed on the bridge to ensure safety and traffic flow, including a tow van and an ambulance for prompt response to breakdowns and accidents.
“We want life to be very smooth and sweet for Nigerians. That is what President Bola Tinubu stands for,” the minister said.
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He further described President Tinubu’s emergence as timely, insisting that his leadership was divinely ordained to confront Nigeria’s challenges.
“That is the reason God brought him in spite of all the challenges,” Umahi added.
The Third Mainland Bridge is one of Africa’s longest bridges and a major link between Lagos mainland and the Island. The new CCTV centre is expected to enhance surveillance, safety and traffic management on the heavily used corridor.
