Road Guards, Deploys Trackers to Curb Rising Vandalism on Lagos-Calabar Highway

Nigeria's federal government is intensifying efforts to curb vandalism along the crucial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by deploying 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards. The initiative includes profiling all guards, documenting their guarantors, and equipping their operational motorcycles with tracking devices to ensure strict adherence to official duties.

The move comes in response to repeated attacks on newly installed infrastructure, raising concerns among government officials about the persistent destruction of public assets shortly after their completion. Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, stated at the guards' inauguration that the primary goal is to protect the multi-billion-naira highway from vandals and criminal activities.

Dare highlighted that the increasing destruction of road infrastructure poses a significant threat to the project's integrity and sustainability. He noted that critical facilities, including manhole covers and directional road signs, have been repeatedly stolen or damaged by vandals soon after installation, leading to additional costs and disruptions for road users.

To bolster accountability, all guards have undergone profiling, and their guarantors' details have been recorded. The tracking devices on their motorcycles will allow authorities to monitor their movements and ensure equipment is used solely for official assignments. The guards have received intensive training from the Nigeria Police Force and are equipped with necessary gear for effective highway patrols. Beyond combating vandalism, they will also enforce traffic regulations, prevent illegal grazing, and address street trading along the highway.

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The deployment of the Coastal Road Guards is a direct response to the repeated vandalism recorded on the highway. We cannot continue to invest huge public resources in infrastructure only for criminals to destroy or steal them.