Lagos-Calabar Highway Faces Shutdown As FG Issues 14-Day Ultimatum

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 other directives along the route.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning during an inspection of the highway, following concerns over persistent safety violations, vandalism and other activities considered dangerous to road users and ongoing construction.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the warning followed a directive from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who ordered authorities to return and close the road if there is no significant improvement within the stipulated period.

Dare said the highway was still under construction and should ordinarily not have been opened to traffic before the completion of its bridges. He therefore urged motorists to exercise caution and comply with the prescribed speed limit.

The Lagos section of the coastal highway stretches for about 103 kilometres across two sections. Several major bridges remain under construction along the route, increasing the risks associated with reckless driving and other activities on the highway.

Dare expressed particular concern about speeding, noting that motorists have been observed travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour despite the 30km/h speed limit prescribed for the construction corridor.

He also raised concerns over illegal parking by trucks and articulated vehicles, unauthorised U-turns, hawking, animal grazing, motorcycles and tricycles using the highway.

The government has also identified vandalism as a major challenge. According to the controller, about five kilometres of protective ClearVu fencing had been removed, while concrete covers spanning roughly 18 kilometres had reportedly been vandalised and taken away.

Authorities have also moved to strengthen security along the highway, with increased police deployment already underway. Plans are reportedly being considered for the installation of CCTV cameras, while coastal guards are also expected to be deployed to support surveillance and protect the infrastructure.

Dare said the government had approved the recruitment of 40 coastal guards for the first section of the highway, with the personnel expected to work alongside the police.

He further warned that illegally parked trucks would be removed and that offenders involved in prohibited activities could face prosecution. Commercial motorcycles and tricycles have also been barred from the coastal highway.

The Federal Government has urged motorists, traders, truck operators and other road users to comply with the safety directives within the two-week period, warning that enforcement would be intensified.

If the situation does not improve, the government has indicated that it could close the Lagos section of the highway, with the Lekki-Epe corridor identified as an alternative route for motorists.