Lagos-Calabar highway risks closure as vandals remove 150 signs, 5km of fencing - The Guardian Nigeria News

Vandalised rail fence and one of the removed manholes on the highway, yesterday. PHOTOS: OPEYEMI BABALOLA 

Vandalised rail fence and one of the removed manholes on the highway, yesterday. PHOTOS: OPEYEMI BABALOLA 

The Federal Government has threatened to shut the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if vandalism, reckless driving and other safety violations on the newly opened road persist.

The warning came after government officials discovered that about 150 directional signs had been removed, five kilometres of clear-view fencing vandalised and manhole covers stolen along an 18-kilometre stretch of the highway.

The inspection also revealed the emergence of unauthorised beaches, illegal U-turns and other activities considered dangerous to motorists, road workers and the ongoing construction.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, who issued the warning yesterday on behalf of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, described the developments as a serious security threat to the highway.

Dare spoke after inspecting sections of the road affected by vandalism and other safety violations.

He said the government had initially been reluctant to open the highway to traffic while construction was still ongoing, adding that the behaviour of some motorists had heightened the risks to workers and other road users.

“We may have no option but to close the highway. And once this place is closed, the only option will be the Lekki-Epe corridor,” he said.

According to him, the Lagos portion of the highway consists of two sections measuring about 103 kilometres, with 20 major bridges under construction across the two sections.

He said motorists were expected to observe a maximum speed limit of 30km/h within construction zones, but some drivers had been caught travelling at speeds of up to 120km/h.

“Lives are being lost on the coastal road almost every other day. We are here and we can see it. And with all of this, it must stop. We cannot continue this way,” he said.

Dare also reiterated the Federal Government’s ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, and tricycles on the highway.

He said enforcement would also cover hawking, illegal settlements, unauthorised grazing and other activities prohibited along the route, adding that violators would be arrested and prosecuted.

According to him, more than 100 motorcycles were arrested on the highway in the previous week.

He also announced plans to clamp down on the parking of trucks and articulated vehicles along the highway, warning that illegally parked trucks would be clamped and towed away, while their operators could face prosecution.

“Over the weekend, we had an extensive meeting with the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani. Beginning from this morning, we’ve started to see an improvement in the deployment of police, and we are going to see more,” he said.

On efforts to strengthen security and prevent further vandalism, Dare said the Federal Government was considering the installation of closed-circuit television cameras along the highway.

He added that plans were also underway to reorganise and retrain the Coastal Guard, with members of communities along the highway expected to participate in the initiative.

“We are considering deploying 40 coastal guards, at least maybe four from each community along Section One. When we get to Section Two, we will also recruit them.

“These people will be working directly with the police because the commissioner has also promised to increase police deployment to this road,” he said.

Dare said the government would also replace some of the steel fencing with block walls in locations where repeated vandalism had occurred.

He appealed to motorists, traders, truck operators and other road users to comply with safety regulations, warning that enforcement would be intensified in the coming weeks.