The Federal Government has threatened to shut the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if motorists and other road users fail to comply with safety regulations and conditions along the route do not improve.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning on Monday during an inspection tour of the highway, saying the directive came from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, amid persistent safety violations, vandalism and other illegal activities.
Dare said the government could no longer allow the situation to continue, noting that lives were being lost on the highway “almost every other day.” He warned motorists to observe the prescribed 30km/h speed limit, particularly because several sections remain under construction and bridges are still being built.
The Lagos section of the coastal highway consists of two sections covering approximately 103 kilometres—about 47km in Section 1 and 56km in Section 2—with 20 major bridges planned across the two sections.
The Federal Government is also concerned about the continued vandalism of infrastructure. Dare said about five kilometres of ClearVu fencing had been removed, while approximately 18 kilometres of concrete covers had reportedly been vandalised and taken away. Earlier in August, authorities disclosed that about 1,800 drainage covers and sections of protective fencing had been targeted by vandals.
Authorities have also prohibited Okada motorcycles, tricycles, illegal U-turns, roadside trading, animal grazing and the parking of articulated vehicles along the highway. Dare warned that people creating unauthorised openings or U-turns could face prosecution.
The security concerns have already resulted in arrests. In August, the Lagos State Police Command announced the arrest of suspects over alleged vandalism and theft of government infrastructure along the highway, with vandalised materials reportedly recovered.
To strengthen security, the Federal Government has increased police deployment and is also working with Coastal Road Guards. Forty guards had previously been profiled to provide surveillance along the first section, while CCTV deployment is also being considered.
Dare said the government has an alternative route in the Lekki-Epe Expressway should the coastal highway have to be closed. He also stressed that the coastal highway remains under construction and was not originally intended to carry unrestricted traffic before completion of its bridges.
The warning places renewed attention on the challenge of managing public access to a major infrastructure project while construction continues, particularly where speeding, vandalism and unauthorised activities could endanger motorists and workers.
