Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government has warned that it may shut the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway if motorists and other road users fail to comply with safety regulations within the next two weeks.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning on Monday, citing persistent violations including speeding, illegal parking, unauthorised U-turns, motorcycle and tricycle use, roadside trading and other activities considered hazardous to road users and the highway infrastructure.
Dare said the directive followed concerns raised by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over continued disregard for safety measures on the highway.
“In another two weeks, if there’s no improvement, His Excellency has directed that we are coming back to shut down the road,” Dare said.
The Lagos portion of the coastal highway stretches for about 103 kilometres and is divided into two sections measuring approximately 47.474km and 56km.
According to Dare, construction work is still ongoing on some parts of the route, particularly bridges. Ten major bridges are planned for each section of the Lagos axis.
He explained that the highway was opened to traffic before the completion of all the bridge works, making strict adherence to the prescribed speed limit necessary.
Dare said motorists had been observed driving at speeds as high as 120km/h on sections where construction activities were still taking place.
“We have said your speed on the coastal road must not be more than 30 kilometres per hour,” he said.
The controller also expressed concern over fatalities recorded along the highway, urging motorists to take the restrictions seriously.
“Lives are being lost on the coastal road. Almost every other day,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen enforcement, Dare said security would be increased along the route following discussions between Umahi and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani.
He said trucks and other articulated vehicles found parked illegally along the highway would be towed, while motorists who make unauthorised U-turns could face enforcement action and prosecution.
Dare disclosed that more than 100 commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada, were arrested on the highway during the previous week.
He reiterated that motorcycles and tricycles are prohibited from using the coastal highway.
The Federal Government is also confronting vandalism targeting safety infrastructure along the route.
Dare said about five kilometres of ClearVu fencing had been removed, while concrete covers over drainage channels spanning approximately 18 kilometres had also been vandalised.
He said much of the vandalism occurred at night, prompting authorities to consider installing stronger barriers and CCTV cameras at vulnerable locations.
The government is also preparing to remove illegal settlements and address hawking and animal grazing along the highway.
According to Dare, at least 10 illegal settlements have been identified for removal.
He added that approval had been given for the deployment of 40 coastal guards to the first section of the highway, with community representatives expected to work with the police in monitoring the route.
The recruitment and deployment of the guards are expected to be completed within two weeks, he said.
Dare also warned truck operators using the Gypsy Port area as an unofficial parking location, saying a joint task force would clear the area of illegally parked vehicles.
He said the first section of the highway had been completed, although bridge construction was still underway, adding that the wider project remained within its three-year contractual period.
The controller urged motorists, traders and other road users to comply with the government’s directives as enforcement activities are intensified.
“It’s not going to be business as usual,” Dare said.
The Federal Government said continued violations could ultimately result in the closure of the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
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