By Anuoluwa Amao
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 stipulated safety regulations.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning on Monday during an inspection of the ongoing highway construction, citing persistent violations of safety rules and increasing fatalities along the route.
Dare said the ultimatum followed concerns raised by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the increasing disregard for traffic and construction safety regulations on the highway
According to him, motorists are routinely exceeding the stipulated 30km/h speed limit, with some drivers allegedly travelling at speeds of between 100km/h and 120km/h despite the ongoing construction works.
He warned that the reckless driving posed a serious danger to motorists, construction workers and other road users, noting that the government had recorded repeated fatalities along the route.
“Lives are being lost on the coastal road. Almost every other day,” Dare said.
He stressed that the situation had become unacceptable and required immediate enforcement of the safety measures put in place to protect road users.
The Federal Controller also identified other violations contributing to the safety challenges, including illegal U-turns, indiscriminate parking by trucks and trailers, the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles, roadside trading and other unauthorised activities.
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Dare further raised concerns over vandalism of infrastructure installed to secure the construction corridor.
He disclosed that approximately five kilometres of protective fencing and concrete covers had been removed along an estimated 18-kilometre stretch of the highway.
The government, he said, would intensify security and enforcement measures, including increased police deployment along the route, to curb the violations and protect public infrastructure.
Dare warned that motorists and other road users would face enforcement action for breaching the regulations.
He said the government would monitor compliance over the next two weeks, adding that failure to achieve a significant improvement would result in the Federal Government shutting the affected section of the highway.
The Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway stretches approximately 103 kilometres and remains under construction, with several bridges and other major infrastructure components still being executed.
The latest warning comes amid growing concerns over how to balance access to the strategic coastal route with safety requirements while construction activities continue.