The Federal government has threatened to shut down the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if persistent vandalism, indiscriminate parking, over-speeding and other illegal activities on the road are not brought under control.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, who issued the warning during an inspection of the highway, said the decision followed worsening security and safety challenges on the road.
He said the Minister of Works has directed that the road be shut down if there is no significant improvement within two weeks, noting that the Lekki-Epe Expressway remained an alternative route.
He said: “In another two weeks, if there is no improvement, His Excellency has directed that it is coming back to shut down the road.”
According to him, lives are being lost regularly on the road as motorists ignore the 30km per hour speed limit imposed because construction is still ongoing.
“People come to the coastal road and get to a speed of 120km per hour on the coastal road, and where construction is going on. Bridge construction is going on.
“We have said your speed on the coastal road must not be more than 30km per hour,” he said.
The controller also warned truck and articulated vehicle operators against parking along the highway, saying enforcement would be intensified.
Dare said the Federal government is also cracking down on illegal U-turns, commercial motorcycles, tricycles, animal grazing, street trading and illegal settlements along the highway.
He said more than 100 commercial motorcycles were arrested on the road in the previous week alone.
“Okada is completely banned. Keke Maruwa is completely banned. All manner of tricycles are banned on the coastal highway,” he said.
He added that illegal occupants and shanties along the road would also be removed, while hawking and sleeping on the median would no longer be tolerated.
The controller expressed concern over extensive vandalism of infrastructure installed along the highway, including clear-view fencing, directional signs and manhole covers.
He said about five kilometres of clear-view fencing had been removed, while manhole covers covering an estimated 18 kilometres had also been vandalised and taken away.
According to him, the vandals operate mainly at night, despite police patrols along the route.
“They come in the night; they remove the clear-view fence that was used to barricade the communities from the coastal highway. They remove it; they cut it,” he said.
Dare disclosed that the government was considering replacing the clear-view fence with concrete block walls due to repeated vandalism.
He said that although the clear-view fencing was easier and faster to install, vandals often removed it within days.
“In areas where we have block walls, to this day, we do not have any problem with them. But you see, it is easier and faster to install this fence. And it’s beautiful. You saw it. It’s beautiful to behold. But if you install it today, in less than one week, it’s gone,” he said.
He also disclosed that some members of the coastal guard initiative had been attacked while trying to protect the infrastructure, adding that two guards had been stabbed.
Dare said the coastal guard scheme was being reorganised and would operate under the direct supervision of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
He said members would be recruited from communities along the highway to monitor and protect sections within their communities.
“We want to make it community-based. So each community will volunteer members of this Coastal Guard to guard their location where their community is located,” he said.
He added that traditional rulers, including Baales and Obas in communities along the route, had been informed and were being involved in the security arrangement.