FG threatens to shut Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

The Federal Government has warned that it would close the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if motorists and other road users fail to comply with safety measures and conditions along the route do not improve.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, said this on Monday, September 21, while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of the highway.

According to him, the decision followed a directive from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, amid persistent safety breaches, vandalism and other illegal activities along the road.  He said the government could no longer tolerate overspeeding, illegal parking by trucks and articulated vehicles, illegal U-turns, motorcycles and tricycles, roadside trading and other activities that could endanger road users and damage infrastructure.

He raised concern over motorists driving at speeds as high as 120km/h on sections where construction activities were ongoing, despite the 30km/h speed limit displayed along the highway. He mentioned that lives were being lost on the highway as a result of many traffic infractions.

“We have said your speed on the coastal road must not be more than 30km/h. It is well written everywhere. But people will come here and go at 100km/h . This cannot continue. Lives are being lost on the coastal road. Almost every other day.

Within two weeks, if there’s no improvement on all these issues, then we have no option but to come back and shut down this road,” he said.