The Federal Government has threatened to shut down the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if persistent violations, including speeding, illegal parking, vandalism and other activities endangering lives and damaging infrastructure, are not brought to an end.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, issued the warning on Monday during a briefing on the coastal highway, saying the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that the road could be closed if there was no significant improvement within the two-week period.
Dare said the decision followed repeated cases of accidents and loss of lives on the highway despite several warnings to motorists and other road users.
He stressed that construction was still ongoing on the road and that it should ordinarily not have been opened to traffic before the completion of the bridges.
According to him, the approved speed limit on the highway is 30 kilometres per hour because of ongoing construction and bridge works. However, some motorists had been driving at speeds of between 100km/h and 120km/h.
“This cannot continue. Lives are being lost on the coastal road, almost every other day,” Dare said.
The government also raised concerns over the vandalism of infrastructure along the highway, disclosing that drainage covers covering about 18 kilometres and at least five kilometres of Clearview fencing had been removed.
Dare said vandals often operated at night, cutting and removing the fencing used to separate surrounding communities from the highway.
He disclosed that the government was considering replacing Clearview fencing with block walls in areas where vandalism was persistent. He added that the installation of closed-circuit television cameras was also being considered to strengthen surveillance.
To improve security, Dare said the Ministry of Works was working to increase the number of coastal guards supporting security operations along the road. The guards would be sourced from communities along the highway, with community leaders expected to nominate individuals responsible for monitoring their respective areas.
The government also warned owners and drivers of trailers, trucks and other articulated vehicles against parking on the highway, saying vehicles found parked along the road would be towed away.
Dare said discussions had also been held with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police over security challenges on the highway, with increased police deployment already commencing.
He further announced a ban on illegal U-turns created by road users, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
Motorcycles, tricycles and other forms of commercial transport are also prohibited on the highway.
“Okada, keke and all manner of tricycles are completely banned on the coastal highway,” he said.
The Federal Government also raised concerns over illegal settlements, hawking, grazing and destitution along the road.
Dare said the government had identified at least 10 illegal settlements along the coastal highway, warning that enforcement would be carried out against activities considered to pose security and safety risks.
He also disclosed that more than 100 Okada riders had been arrested during the previous week for operating illegally on the highway.
The Federal Government said the two-week period was intended to allow road users and other stakeholders to comply with the regulations before further enforcement measures, including possible closure of the highway, are taken.
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