A civil society organisation, the Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), has applauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the award of the contract for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and solar-powered lighting on the Second Niger Bridge, describing the move as timely and strategic.

The President of the organisation, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, in an interactive session with reporters, noted that the project aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security and protecting critical infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Nnam noted that the Second Niger Bridge, being a major economic and transport corridor linking the South-East, South-South, and other parts of the country, required enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of users and the longevity of the infrastructure.

According to him, the installation of CCTV cameras and solar lighting would improve real-time monitoring, deter criminal activities, and provide adequate illumination for motorists, especially during night travel and peak periods.
He said the initiative reflected the Tinubu administration’s proactive approach to infrastructure management, adding that preventive security measures were more cost-effective than repairs occasioned by vandalism and neglect.

While commending the President, Nnam urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of public assets and support government efforts by protecting critical infrastructure rather than engaging in acts of vandalism.

He condemned the destruction of public facilities such as electricity installations, rail lines, and communication equipment, describing such acts as not only criminal but also economically damaging to the nation.

“Protecting critical government infrastructure is imperative for national security, economic stability and public welfare. When infrastructure is vandalised, scarce public funds that should be used for development are diverted to repairs,” he said.
The ILDC president also lauded the Federal Government for similar security upgrades on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, where CCTV cameras and solar lighting have been installed alongside a modern surveillance centre.

He explained that the surveillance system on the Third Mainland Bridge was designed to deter crime, prevent illegal activities such as sand mining, and reduce incidents of suicide, thereby enhancing overall safety on the bridge.

The installation of CCTV cameras on major bridges forms part of a broader strategy to improve security, preserve national assets, and promote sustainable infrastructure management across the country.