AfriPulse
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has cautioned that Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway may be shut down if motorists continue to flout traffic rules, endangering lives and disrupting construction activities.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday during the parade of suspected vandals of reflective lights on the Third Mainland Bridge, Umahi recalled that the highway was temporarily opened during the Christmas season to ease congestion. However, he said the relief quickly turned into chaos due to reckless driving.
“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 stated.
He revealed that the situation worsened recently when a contractor’s worker was killed by a speeding vehicle that veered off the road, knocking down solar poles before hitting the worker.
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Umahi explained that while the ministry had considered closing the road in December, President Bola Tinubu directed that it remain open. He warned, however, that if wrong-way driving and excessive speeding persist after one week, the Federal Government will have no choice but to close the section until construction is completed.
“The choice is for all of us to make,” he said, stressing that both leadership and citizens share responsibility for national development.
The minister added that the Federal Ministry of Works is working with the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and security agencies to deploy personnel for traffic control and worker safety.
On reports of buildings marked for demolition along the corridor, Umahi clarified that the markings were made in error and not by the ministry. He apologised to affected residents, assuring them that wrongful markings would be removed immediately.
He explained that only empty federal lands within 250 metres of the shoreline and approved road corridors are being processed for acquisition, with the Lagos State Government handling the exercise through the Office of the Surveyor-General.
Umahi reaffirmed that no completed residential buildings are slated for demolition, assuring residents that their homes are safe.
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