The Federal Government has inaugurated a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring centre at the Second Niger Bridge as part of measures to safeguard strategic national infrastructure. This further enhances traffic management and improve road safety along the Anambra–Delta transport corridor.

The CCTV project, which covers approximately 11.9 kilometres, underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to securing critical national assets and ensuring safer travel for road users. The monitoring system is expected to provide real-time surveillance, deter criminal activities, and support law enforcement operations around the bridge and its access routes.

During an inspection visit, the Minister of Works, Senator Delta, assessed the progress of the ongoing construction of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge. While commending the quality of work delivered so far, the minister urged contractors to accelerate construction to meet revised timelines.

According to Senator Umahi, the access road project is designed to bypass nearby townships, allowing motorists heading to the bridge to avoid congested urban routes. He disclosed that the contract sum stands at ₦179 million, with 30 per cent already fully paid, noting that the contractor has demonstrated strong performance on site.

“I need to set a new target. We must complete and commission at least 50 per cent of this project by the end of April,” the minister said. He also emphasized the importance of timely delivery given the bridge’s strategic economic and logistical value.

Community representatives and residents in the area expressed appreciation for the federal government’s intervention, praising President Tinubu for prioritizing infrastructure development in the region while also calling for sustained engagement and further projects.

The CCTV monitoring centre will be managed by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command. They will work in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure effective monitoring and rapid response to incidents along the corridor.

The Second Niger Bridge remains a critical link between Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions, playing a vital role in commerce, mobility, and national integration.

CCTV, ETHICS, AND REGIONAL SUSPICION IN NIGERIA

On its own, the installation of CCTV infrastructure is not unethical according to expert analysis. Globally, surveillance systems are standard tools for protecting strategic assets such as bridges, tunnels, airports, and highways. From a security and traffic management standpoint, the decision to monitor the Second Niger Bridge is both rational and defensible.

However, ethics in public policy are not judged solely by intent, but by context, consistency, and perception.

The real ethical issue is the selective surveillance. The controversy arises not from the presence of CCTV, but from the perceived regional selectivity. When similar surveillance infrastructure is not publicly visible, at comparable strategic locations in other regions, it creates a narrative of unequal treatment.

Nigeria has other critical national infrastructures:

While some have equally publicized CCTV projects, others don’t, but this continues to fuels suspicion and resentment.