Vandals have removed reinforcement materials from road infrastructure and stolen manhole covers along sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with the Federal Government warning that the criminal activities are threatening the safety and integrity of the multi-billion-naira project.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the persistent security and safety challenges confronting the coastal highway.
Dare said vandals had removed about five kilometres of clear-view fencing installed along the highway, while manhole covers covering approximately 18 kilometres had also been stolen.
According to him, the vandals operate mostly at night, cutting through and removing the metal components of the infrastructure despite security patrols along the road.
He said some of the manhole covers were vandalised by breaking the concrete structures to remove the reinforcement materials embedded in them.
“Vandalisation. They come in the night. They remove the clear-view fence that was used to barricade the community from the coastal highway. They removed them. They cut it. And they packed it away,” Dare said.
He added that directional road signs were also being dismantled because of their metal components, warning that the scale of vandalism could no longer be ignored.
The federal controller expressed concern that the destruction and theft of road infrastructure could endanger motorists and other road users, particularly as construction is still ongoing on the highway.
He said the Lagos section of the coastal road has 20 major bridges, with construction taking place simultaneously at different locations.
Dare also disclosed that some personnel deployed to protect the highway infrastructure had been attacked by suspected vandals.
According to him, two members of the Coastal Guard had been stabbed, while photographs of the attacks were available.
He said the Federal Government was consequently considering alternative measures to protect the highway infrastructure, including replacing vulnerable clear-view fencing with more durable barriers.
The security challenge, he said, had prompted increased collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Police Command.
Dare said the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had held meetings with relevant authorities over the weekend and promised increased police deployment along the coastal highway.
He disclosed that the police had already begun intensified enforcement, adding that at least 100 commercial motorcyclists were arrested on the highway within the previous week.
Beyond vandalism, the Federal Government also expressed concern over speeding, illegal parking by articulated vehicles, illegal U-turns, hawking, animal grazing and the presence of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the highway.
Dare warned that motorists must not exceed 30 kilometres per hour on the highway because construction is still ongoing.
He said some motorists had been driving at speeds as high as 100 to 120 kilometres per hour despite warning signs and ongoing construction works.
According to him, the continued reckless use of the highway has contributed to frequent accidents and loss of lives.
“Lives are being lost on the coastal road almost every other day,” he said.
Dare warned that trucks and trailers parked along the highway would be towed away, while illegal U-turns and the operation of Okada and Keke Marwa on the road would attract enforcement action.
He also announced a crackdown on shanties and illegal occupants along the highway, saying more than 10 illegal settlements had been identified.
He warned that hawking and sleeping on the highway median would no longer be tolerated, while animal grazing along the road had also been banned.
The Federal Controller said the authorities had given users of the highway sufficient warning and would no longer tolerate activities capable of undermining safety and the integrity of the project.
He further disclosed that the Minister of Works had directed the ministry to return to the highway in two weeks to assess compliance with the new measures.
Dare warned that failure to record significant improvement could lead to the shutdown of the road.
He said the government was determined to protect the infrastructure and prevent further loss of lives on the coastal highway. It’s not going to be business as usual,” he said.
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