The Federal Government has announced a ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, and tricycles (keke Marwa) on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as part of efforts to protect the newly constructed road infrastructure.
The directive, which takes effect this week, was disclosed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Dare, the restriction was introduced to prevent misuse of the highway and preserve the quality of the newly completed sections of the road. He explained that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major national infrastructure project that requires proper maintenance to ensure its durability and long-term service to Nigerians.
In addition to banning commercial motorcycles and tricycles, the Ministry of Works also prohibited the indiscriminate parking of trucks and articulated vehicles along the highway and its bridges across Lagos State. The ministry warned that such activities pose risks to road users and could damage the infrastructure.
The government also outlawed the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the highway corridors, describing the practice as unacceptable and harmful to the environment and the road network.
Dare stated that road signs indicating the new restrictions have already been installed at various points along the coastal highway to guide motorists and other road users.
To ensure strict compliance, he disclosed that task force officials would be deployed to strategic locations to monitor activities on the highway and enforce the regulations. He warned that anyone found violating the directives would face appropriate sanctions.
Describing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a world-class infrastructure project, the Federal Controller of Works urged members of the public to cooperate with the government by obeying all traffic and environmental regulations on the road.
He emphasized that protecting the highway from abuse would help extend its lifespan, improve public safety, and ensure that Nigerians continue to benefit from the massive investment made in the project.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship road projects aimed at boosting transportation, trade, tourism, and economic development along Nigeria’s coastal corridor.
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