The Federal Government has threatened to shut down the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if motorists and other road users fail to halt activities blamed for the growing loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure along the road.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr Olufemi Dare, issued the ultimatum on Monday, saying the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that the highway be closed if there was no significant improvement in compliance with safety regulations.
Dare said the situation had become critical, with lives allegedly being lost on the highway “almost every other day” despite repeated warnings to motorists.
“Let me say this categorically, construction is still ongoing on this road. Ordinarily we ought not to have opened it until all the bridges are completed,” he said.
The Federal Government said the highway currently has a 30-kilometre-per-hour speed limit because of ongoing construction and bridge works, but motorists were allegedly driving at speeds as high as 100 and 120 kilometres per hour.
Dare warned that the government could no longer tolerate such violations, saying the consequences were becoming increasingly dangerous for road users and construction activities.
Beyond reckless driving, the government said widespread vandalism was threatening the integrity and security of the highway, with about 18 kilometres of drainage covers and at least five kilometres of Clearview fencing reportedly removed.
Dare said the fencing was being cut and carted away at night, particularly around communities bordering the highway.
He disclosed that the government was considering replacing the Clearview fencing with block walls in areas repeatedly affected by vandalism, while closed-circuit television cameras were also being deployed to improve surveillance.
The government is also moving to strengthen community-based security along the route, with plans to increase the number of coastal guards beyond the 40 already commissioned.
According to Dare, additional guards would be drawn from communities along the highway, with community leaders expected to nominate individuals to monitor their respective areas.
The arrangement, he said, was expected to be concluded within two weeks.
The Federal Controller also warned that trailers, trucks and other articulated vehicles parked illegally on the highway would be towed away, while illegal U-turns created by motorists would be dismantled.
He said offenders arrested for creating or using illegal U-turns would face prosecution.
Dare further reiterated the ban on motorcycles, tricycles and other commercial transport operations on the coastal highway, disclosing that more than 100 Okada riders were arrested in the previous week for allegedly violating the restriction.
The Federal Government also identified illegal settlements, hawking, grazing and destitution as additional security and safety concerns along the highway.
Dare said at least 10 illegal settlements had been identified along the route and alleged that some were being used as bases for criminal activities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has engaged the Lagos State Police Command over the security challenges, with Dare confirming increased police deployment along the highway.
The government’s latest warning means continued violations could force the closure of a major coastal route even as construction work remains ongoing, with authorities now giving road users a two-week window to comply with safety and operational restrictions.
