NSCDC Seeks Multi-Agency Security For Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has called for a multi-agency security strategy to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism, theft and other criminal activities.

The call followed a joint inspection of the Lagos section of the 750-kilometre coastal highway by the NSCDC, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, and a representative of the Nigeria Police Force.

The inspection covered an 18-kilometre stretch of the project, from Okun-Ajah to Oniru, around the Rain Oil area.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which begins from Victoria Island in Lagos and extends to Calabar in Cross River State, is one of the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation and connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline.

Speaking during the inspection, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, said the strategic importance of the project made it necessary for the highway to be treated as a Critical National Asset and Infrastructure.

Keshinro said the NSCDC remained committed to protecting critical national infrastructure across the state, but noted that securing a project of the scale of the coastal highway would require the combined efforts of security agencies, government authorities and communities along the route.

He consequently advocated stronger collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders to prevent vandalism and other criminal activities that could undermine the project.

The inspection team identified several security concerns along the construction corridor, including the alleged theft of manhole covers and iron rods, vandalism of construction materials, destruction of fencing and the stripping of infrastructure components.

The team also observed unauthorised traffic activities, including the creation of illegal U-turns along parts of the highway.

Dare, who led the team through the construction corridor, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the project and maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure.

He said the directive by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on the protection of the road remained sacrosanct.

During the inspection, officials also assessed ongoing construction works, including flyovers, interchanges and deep-piled bridge infrastructure along the corridor.

The NSCDC said early and coordinated intervention by security agencies and communities would be essential to preventing criminal activities from becoming entrenched and protecting the substantial public investment in the coastal highway.

The Corps added that sustained collaboration would help ensure the infrastructure is adequately protected and ultimately delivers its intended transportation and economic benefits to Nigerians.