The Federal Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to motorists and road users to comply with safety measures along the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, stated this during an inspection tour of the highway, citing persistent safety breaches, vandalism, and other illegal activities. The government had an alternative route in the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The Lagos section of the coastal highway spans about 103km, comprising two sections: Section 1 covering 47km and Section 2 extending for 56km. There are 20 major bridges across the two sections in Lagos, with 10 in each section, several of which are still under construction. Dare expressed concern over motorists driving at high speeds on a road where construction work is ongoing, despite the prescribed speed limit of 30km per hour.
Dare warned that lives were being lost on the highway "almost every other day," and the government could no longer allow the situation to continue. He said the government had reached an agreement with the Lagos State Police Command to increase police deployment along the highway, following meetings between the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani.
The controller also warned articulated vehicle operators against parking along the highway, saying some trucks and trailers were being used as temporary parking spaces by drivers. He banned Okada motorcycles, tricycles, hawking, and animal grazing along the highway and vowed to prosecute anyone caught making illegal U-turns. Authorities would also move against people living in shanties and other illegal structures along the highway.
Vandalism of safety infrastructure is another major challenge, with sections of the protective fencing and other installations being removed at night. At least 5km of ClearVu fencing had been removed, while about 18km of concrete covers had also been vandalised and taken away. The government is considering replacing the steel ClearVu fencing with concrete barriers in vulnerable areas.
The government is working on deploying CCTV cameras to improve surveillance along the route and has approved the recruitment of 40 members of a coastal guard for the first section of the highway. The guards would work directly with the police and provide community-level surveillance. Additional personnel would be recruited for Section 2, and previously engaged coastal guards had been attacked by vandals.
The Federal Government's threat to shut the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway highlights the need for improved safety measures and enforcement along the route. The government aims to prevent further loss of life and ensure that the highway is used responsibly. The Lekki-Epe Expressway has been identified as an alternative route, and motorists are urged to comply with the safety regulations to avoid a shutdown.
Key points
- The Federal Government has given a two-week ultimatum to improve safety measures along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
- The highway has several major bridges under construction, and motorists are driving at high speeds despite the prescribed speed limit of 30km per hour.
- The government plans to deploy CCTV cameras and recruit coastal guards to improve surveillance and enforcement along the route.
