The Federal Government has ruled out the introduction of tolling on the newly rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, according to the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Umahi made the clarification on Sunday while speaking with journalists after inaugurating a N40 billion Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera Control Centre installed on the bridge.
Explaining the government’s decision, the minister said tolling the bridge would require additional construction work, which could compromise its structural integrity.
We will not engage construction on this bridge because it will entail static load on the bridge, Umahi said.
He added that the bridge’s location within a densely populated urban area also made tolling impractical.
It is also within the town, so it will introduce many bottlenecks; that is why we are not tolling this bridge, he stated.
On security arrangements, the minister disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force would be in charge of surveillance and response operations along the 11-kilometre bridge.
We are allowing the police to do the needful,” Umahi said, noting that the emergency response time on the bridge would be within five minutes.
He further revealed that essential emergency facilities, including a tow truck and an ambulance, would be stationed on the bridge to promptly address incidents.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to citizens’ welfare, Umahi said the current leadership was focused on easing daily life for Nigerians.
We want life to be very smooth and sweet for Nigerians; that is what President Bola Tinubu stands for, he said.
That is the reason God brought him in spite of all the challenges, the minister added.
