Security: Asagba Joins Umahi to Commission CCTV Monitoring Centre on Second Niger Bridge

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, on Friday, January 16, 2025, joined the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to commission the CCTV Monitoring Centre for the Second Niger Bridge, describing the project as a significant boost to security and public confidence along the Asaba–Onitsha corridor.

The monarch made the remarks while gracing the commissioning ceremony, recalling that only recently the Minister had performed the groundbreaking for the Section 2A access road to the Second Niger Bridge. He described the CCTV monitoring centre as another commendable and admirable intervention of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in the Asaba axis.

According to the Asagba, the installation of the CCTV security system will greatly enhance surveillance around the Asaba–Onitsha route, help curb crime and criminal activities, and address vandalism, which he identified as a major challenge affecting the maintenance of critical national infrastructure. He noted that the project would significantly strengthen public trust in the Federal Government.

Speaking on behalf of the Asaba community, the monarch also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the ongoing rehabilitation of failed sections of the Asaba end of the Asaba–Benin Expressway, which he said had long posed serious difficulties for road users and placed undue pressure on internal roads within Asaba.

Prof. Azinge praised Engr. Umahi for what he described as courage, clarity of purpose, and capacity in the discharge of his duties as Minister of Works, expressing optimism that the Tinubu administration would deliver even more landmark achievements before the end of its tenure.

Second Niger Bridge CCTV Monitoring Centre

In his remarks, Engr. David Umahi disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved an immediate ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of all bridges across the country, a move aimed at protecting bridge foundations and prolonging their lifespan.

The Minister explained that the newly commissioned CCTV viewing centre would be operated and maintained by the Delta State Police Command, adding that with the system in place, there would be no permanent police or military presence on the bridge itself. Instead, security operatives would monitor activities from the control centre and respond to emergencies within five minutes.

Umahi further revealed that the Federal Government would provide the Police with two Hilux pickup vans and a flying boat to support operations, alongside a monthly logistics imprest of ₦3 million. He, however, noted that the centre would be closely supervised by federal authorities to ensure optimal performance and prevent lapses.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the 17.5-kilometre Section 2A bypass of the Second Niger Bridge, attributing the progress to the 100 per cent compensation payment made by the Delta State Government.

On road infrastructure, Umahi stated that the Tinubu administration had adopted reinforced concrete pavement for the rehabilitation of failed federal roads nationwide, explaining that the strategy was designed to significantly extend road lifespan.

He also spoke on the ongoing rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometre stretch from Summit Junction to the Niger Bridge head in Asaba, which has been redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement and improved drainage. The Minister expressed concern over the slow pace of work and directed the contractor to accelerate construction to ensure completion before May 29, 2026.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, commended the Federal Government for installing the CCTV security system, noting that it would boost motorists’ confidence and encourage greater use of the Second Niger Bridge, which he said had previously been underutilized due to security concerns.