FG Deploys Trained Coastal Road Guards, Installs Motorcycle Trackers To Protect Lagos-Calabar Highway
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Federal Government has profiled all 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards, documented details of their guarantors and fitted tracking devices to their official motorcycles as part of measures to safeguard the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and other illegal activities.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the specialised security team, saying the tracking system was introduced to ensure that government-issued motorcycles are used strictly for official duties.
Dare said the establishment of the Coastal Road Guards followed repeated cases of vandalism along sections of the highway, where newly installed infrastructure, including manhole covers and directional road signs, had been stolen or damaged shortly after installation.
According to him, despite repeated replacements, the facilities continued to be targeted by vandals, prompting the Ministry of Works to introduce a dedicated surveillance unit to provide continuous monitoring and protect the integrity of the multi-billion-naira infrastructure.
He explained that the 40 personnel underwent security training conducted by the Nigeria Police Force before being equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools required for effective patrol operations.
Dare urged the guards to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and discipline, warning that they would be held accountable for any misconduct while on duty.
He said the team had been mandated to prevent the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway, stop indiscriminate parking of trailers and trucks, curb illegal U-turns, prevent the vandalism of manhole covers and road signs, and enforce regulations against illegal grazing, street trading, unauthorised occupation of the highway corridor and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“The guards are expected to monitor the highway around the clock, apprehend offenders where necessary and hand them over to the appropriate security agencies for further action,” he said.
The Federal Controller commended the supervisors, administrative officers and members of the security outfit for their dedication throughout the training programme and urged them to justify the government’s confidence in them.
Speaking on behalf of the guards, Deputy Team Lead Kelvin Okereke expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for introducing the initiative, describing it as a programme that had created employment opportunities while strengthening the protection of critical national infrastructure.
He also called on Nigerians to regard the protection of public assets as a shared national responsibility.
The Chief Security Officer of the Coastal Road Guards, Paul Mbam, said the initiative had provided him with meaningful employment and valuable security training that would enhance his ability to carry out his duties effectively.
Also speaking, the Administrative Officer of the team, Augustine Usumero, pledged that comprehensive records would be maintained and all government assets assigned to the unit would be properly managed.
He expressed confidence in the success of the programme, noting that members of the Coastal Road Guards had already demonstrated commitment and professionalism during preliminary assessments and training.
