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The Federal Government has threatened to shut down the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if motorists and other road users fail to stop persistent violations and activities endangering lives and damaging infrastructure.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, issued the warning on Monday, saying Works Minister David Umahi had directed that the highway be closed if there was no significant improvement in compliance with safety measures.
Dare said lives were being lost on the highway almost every other day despite repeated warnings, stressing that construction was still ongoing and the road was not originally meant to be opened before completion of the bridges.
He said the speed limit on the highway was 30 kilometres per hour because of the ongoing construction, but some motorists were driving at speeds of between 100 and 120 kilometres per hour.
The Federal Controller also disclosed that about 18 kilometres of drainage covers and at least five kilometres of Clearview fencing had been vandalised and removed. He said the government was considering replacing the fencing with block walls in areas where vandalism persisted and was also working to install closed-circuit television cameras.
Dare said the government was further strengthening security by adding to the 40 coastal guards already deployed, with community leaders expected to nominate personnel to monitor areas along the highway. The arrangement, he said, should be completed within two weeks.
He warned that trailers, trucks and other articulated vehicles parked on the highway would be towed away, while illegal U-turns would be prohibited and offenders prosecuted.
Dare said the government had also engaged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, over security concerns, resulting in increased police deployment along the highway.
He reiterated the ban on motorcycles, tricycles and other commercial transport on the highway, disclosing that more than 100 Okada riders were arrested in the previous week.
The government also raised concerns over illegal settlements, hawking, grazing and destitution along the route. Dare said at least 10 illegal settlements had been identified and warned that enforcement action would be taken against activities considered a threat to public safety and infrastructure.
