FG Profiles Coastal Guards, Installs Motorcycle Trackers to Protect Lagos-Calabar Highway

"The initiative was aimed at curbing persistent vandalism and other illegal activities threatening the multi-billion-naira highway project." Engr. Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State.

.... Says "the decision followed repeated cases of vandalism, with newly installed manhole covers and road signs stolen or damaged shortly after installation, despite repeated replacements."

The Federal Government has introduced strict accountability measures for the 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards deployed to safeguard the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, profiling all personnel, documenting their guarantors and installing trackers on their motorcycles to ensure the equipment is used strictly for official duties.

Speaking at the inauguration in Lagos on Thursday, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, said the initiative was aimed at curbing persistent vandalism and other illegal activities threatening the multi-billion-naira highway project.

He explained that the decision followed repeated cases of vandalism, with newly installed manhole covers and road signs stolen or damaged shortly after installation, despite repeated replacements.

According to Dare, the guards have undergone training by the Nigeria Police Force and have been equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools to provide round-the-clock surveillance along the highway corridor.

He said the operatives would enforce traffic and environmental regulations by preventing the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway, stopping illegal U-turns, indiscriminate parking by trucks and trailers, street trading, illegal grazing, encroachment on the road corridor and the dumping of refuse.

The guards are also expected to arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to relevant security agencies.

Warning against misconduct, Dare stressed that the operatives would be held accountable for any abuse of their responsibilities, urging them to carry out their assignments with discipline and professionalism.

Responding on behalf of the guards, Deputy Team Lead, Kelvin Okereke, commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for establishing the programme, describing it as a job-creation initiative that would also strengthen the protection of critical national infrastructure.

Chief Security Officer, Paul Mbam, said the initiative had provided him with employment and valuable security training, while Administrative Officer, Augustine Usumero, assured that the team would maintain proper operational records and ensure government assets were responsibly managed to achieve the programme's objectives.