Minister Threatens Closure Of Coastal Highway Over Traffic Violations

Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has warned that Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway may be closed to traffic if indiscipline by motorists continues to endanger lives and disrupt construction work.

Umahi spoke in Lagos during parade of  suspected vandals of cat’s-eye reflective lights on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway was temporarily opened to traffic during the Christmas period to ease  traffic  and improve movement of commuters.

The minister said the temporary opening was meant to provide relief for road users while construction work continued on the project.

However, he said the situation deteriorated due to traffic indiscipline, including driving against traffic and excessive speeding.

“You will recall what happened during the Christmas period when motorists drove against traffic. We recorded one death and experienced serious traffic congestion due to indiscipline,” Umahi said.

He said what was intended to reduce congestion became a nightmare, stressing that both  the leadership and  the citizens shared responsibility for national development.

He disclosed that the ministry considered closing the road in December but  President Bola Tinubu directed that it should remain open.

The minister said the situation worsened recently when a contractor’s worker was killed by a speeding vehicle while working on the shoulder of the road, which was off the main carriageway.

According to him, a vehicle travelling at high speed knocked down two concrete solar poles, veered off the road, and killed the worker instantly.

Umahi said he was meeting with the contractor to address safety concerns, noting that construction work could be suspended if the lives of workers would not be adequately protected.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works would work with the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and security agencies to deploy personnel to control traffic and secure the construction area.

The minister warned that if wrong-way driving and excessive speeding would persist after one week, the federal government would have no option but to close Section One of the highway until completion of construction.

“The choice is for all of us to make,” he said.

On marked buildings, Umahi clarified reports that buildings were marked for demolition on the completed corridor of the coastal road.

He apologised to affected residents, saying the markings were done in error and not by the federal ministry of works.

According to him, land acquisition for public interest is the responsibility of the Office of the Surveyor-General.

He assured that the error had been corrected.

(NAN)