The Federal Government has threatened to shut the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in two weeks if vandalism, speeding and indiscriminate truck parking on the route persist.
Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, issued the warning on Monday during a news briefing at the Lagos section of the highway.
Dare said the government had observed “ugly developments” along the stretch from the Ahmadu Bello Way intersection in Victoria Island to the Eleko Junction.
He said some motorists were abusing the government’s decision to open Section 1 of the highway to traffic while construction is still ongoing.
According to him, some motorists drive at speeds of up to 120km per hour on the road, despite a 30km per hour speed limit.
“Within two weeks, if there’s no improvement, His Excellency (referring to the minister of works) has directed that we are coming back to shut down the road,” he said.
FG bans speeding, truck parking
Dare said speeding had contributed to frequent loss of lives on the highway.
He also raised concerns about articulated truck drivers who park their vehicles on the road for several days and sleep inside them.
The federal controller announced a ban on speeding, hawking, truck parking, motorcycles and tricycles along the Coastal Road.
He urged motorists to comply with the 30km per hour speed limit, noting that warning signs had been placed along the route.
“Let me say this categorically: construction is ongoing on this road. Ordinarily, we ought not to have opened it until all the bridges are completed,” Dare said.
Vandalism hits highway infrastructure
Dare also disclosed that critical infrastructure on the highway had been vandalised.
He said manhole covers across 18 kilometres of the road had been removed, while about five kilometres of clear-view fencing had also been stolen.
“Manhole covers in 18 kilometres were completely packed away. Because there was reinforcement in the covers, they broke the concrete and they removed the iron that is in it,” he said.
He warned that the vandalism, which he said was ongoing, must stop immediately.
FG targets illegal settlements, trading
The Federal Government also plans to crack down on illegal settlements, trading and animal grazing along the highway.
In June, reports emerged of illegal settlements springing up along the new road, with allegations that illicit drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine, were being sold from some shanties.
On June 29, the Federal Ministry of Works banned commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating on the road.
The government’s latest warning comes as construction continues on the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
