FG unveils guards to protect Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

Nigeria's Federal Government has established the Coastal Highway Guards to safeguard the critical Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway against vandalism and unauthorized activities. The initiative was launched by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, with an initial deployment of 40 officers.

These personnel will be responsible for maintaining a visible presence along the highway, reporting any suspicious activities, and preventing unauthorized actions such as hawking, the presence of motorcycles and tricycles, and loitering. The team will be under the leadership of retired Gen. Adekunle Shodunke and will collaborate with existing security agencies in the state.

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The Honorable Minister of Works, Senator @realdaveumahi, today launched the COASTAL HIGHWAY GUARDS, starting with 40 officers. These personnel will be in charge of: “Maintaining presence on the highway; reporting suspicious activities; restricting hawking on the Coastal Highway; “Reporting and monitoring any form of vandalism; restricting keke or okada on the Coastal Highway; and restricting loitering on the Coastal Highway.”

Minister Umahi emphasized that this is not an "empowerment program" but a "full-time job" dedicated to protecting national assets. He stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda.

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The Hon. Minister says this is not an ‘empowerment program’, It is a full time job to protect National Assets of the Government and in line with the Renewed Hope of Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR

Earlier, Umahi had expressed strong concern over ongoing issues along the highway, including the removal of construction materials and illegal occupation. He condemned the "unpatriotic elements" involved in damaging the highway's infrastructure, stating, "This must stop." He directed the Works Controller in Lagos to ensure that motorcycles, tricycles, hawkers, and other unauthorized activities are prohibited.

Umahi also urged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to enhance its protection of strategic national infrastructure. He further disclosed that the ministry has opened its ongoing projects to scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies.

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We have had very terrible, unpatriotic elements removing the blocks, breaking the fence, removing the rods and treading on the highway. This must stop

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a significant 750-kilometer, 10-lane project designed to connect Lagos to Cross River State, traversing Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states. The project is being undertaken by Hitech Construction.

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Their job is that no keke on the coastal highway, no motorcycle on the coastal highway, and no loitering. There is no superhighway all over the country where you see people loitering. Last night, we were there with the National Assembly members by 11 pm; people were sleeping on the coastal highway. It must stop. No hawking, no occupation illegally along the entire coast.