The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning during an inspection of the highway, citing worsening security and safety challenges. He stated that the Minister of Works had directed that the road be shut down if there was no significant improvement within two weeks. The Lekki-Epe Expressway remains an alternative route. The highway has been plagued by vandalism, indiscriminate parking, overspeeding, and other illegal activities.
According to Dare, lives are being lost regularly on the road as motorists ignore the 30km per hour speed limit imposed due to ongoing construction. Motorists have been clocking speeds of up to 120km per hour on the coastal road, despite the speed limit. The controller emphasized that the speed limit is in place to ensure safety during construction, particularly in areas where bridge construction is ongoing.
The Federal Government is cracking down on illegal activities on the highway, including truck and articulated vehicle parking. Enforcement will be intensified to prevent parking along the highway. Additionally, the government is targeting illegal U-turns, commercial motorcycles, tricycles, animal grazing, street trading, and illegal settlements along the highway. Over 100 commercial motorcycles were arrested on the road in the previous week alone.
The use of commercial motorcycles, known as okadas, and tricycles, also known as keke maruwas, is completely banned on the coastal highway. Illegal occupants and shanties along the road will also be removed, while hawking and sleeping on the median will no longer be tolerated. The government is taking a holistic approach to addressing the security and safety challenges on the highway.
Extensive vandalism of infrastructure installed along the highway has been reported, including the removal of about 5km of clear-view fencing. Manhole covers covering an estimated 18 kilometres have also been vandalised and taken away. The vandals operate mainly at night, despite police patrols along the route. The government is considering replacing the clear-view fence with concrete block walls due to repeated vandalism.
The coastal guard initiative is being reorganised and will operate under the direct supervision of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. Members will be recruited from communities along the highway to monitor and protect sections within their communities. Traditional rulers, including baales and obas in communities along the route, have been informed and are being involved in the security arrangement.
The government has deployed 40 trained coastal guards, awaiting the Commissioner of Police's deployment. The goal is to make the coastal guard scheme community-based, with each community volunteering members to guard their location. Two guards have been stabbed while trying to protect the infrastructure. The government is taking steps to ensure the safety of both the guards and the public.
Key points
- The Federal Government has threatened to shut down the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if vandalism and other illegal activities persist.
- The highway has been plagued by vandalism, indiscriminate parking, overspeeding, and other illegal activities, resulting in regular loss of life.
- The government is taking a holistic approach to addressing the security and safety challenges on the highway, including enforcing speed limits and banning commercial motorcycles and tricycles.
