Governor Babatunde Fashola on Sunday switched on the lights of the 6km Carter Bridge, the oldest bridge in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Fashola officially switched on the street lights on the bridge last night, revealing the beauty of the area  at night.

•Carter Bridge from Idumota to Iddo, Ijora Olopa, Adeniji-Adele, Ebute Ero and Offin brightly lit last night shortly after the brief switching on ceremony of the Public Light infrastructure performed by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Sunday, June 30, 2013. Inset: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) switching on the lights.

The bridge, built in 1901 was rebuilt in 1973 and had for several years been devoid of capacity traffic at night as the place is always dark, while hoodlums had a field day robbing people.

At least 166 street lights have been installed on the bridge, with 52 attachments on the poles to illuminate the walkways, 204 indicator lights and 48 blue reflective lights placed underneath the bridge as well as lighting under the bridge that reflects the Lagos colours on water.

The bridge came alive as Fashola switched on the light to the delight of people living within the area and traders alike.

Speaking at the occasion, Fashola said the lighting up of the bridge was to ensure security in the area as people could now walk on the bridge at any time and be safe knowing that the place had  been lit up, while hoodlums could no longer carry out their nefarious activities.

He said the lighting up the bridge was consistent with his administration’s commitment to power transportation and housing facilities, while describing the lighting as a transport solution as well as a security solution.

“The many significant impact of this street lighting is that it has improved security in the state, making Lagos safer at night. On the Carter Bridge particularly, this is a transport solution as well as a security solution.

“The bridge will increase people’s choices of getting in and out from the Island and onto the Mainland. The bridge also has significant economic impact. It is significant because of the economic impact. All of the work that has been done here has been by local capacity through our Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” he said.

The bridge is the first in the country to have street lightings powered by an Independent Power Plant. The Carter Bridge project covers public lighting starting from the Idumota area to Ijora Olopa, Iddo Terminus and towards the Third Mainland Bridge, Adeniji, Ebute Ero and Ofin.

General Manager, Lagos State Electricity, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the lighting up of Carter Bridge was part of plans by government to light up at least 45km of roads across the state.