By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal Government has outlawed the operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, and tricycles (Keke Marwa), on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as part of measures to protect the newly constructed infrastructure and improve safety for road users.
The restriction, which takes effect immediately, was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare. He said the directive forms part of a broader traffic management and infrastructure protection strategy aimed at preserving the multi-billion-naira highway from misuse and premature deterioration.
According to Dare, commercial motorcycles and tricycles will no longer be permitted to ply the coastal highway, stressing that the road was designed as a modern transport corridor that requires strict regulation to guarantee its durability and efficient operation.
The ministry also announced a crackdown on indiscriminate parking by trucks and articulated vehicles along the highway, warning that such practices constitute a safety hazard and could undermine the integrity of the road infrastructure.
Dare disclosed that the restriction extends to all bridges across Lagos State, where unauthorized parking by heavy-duty vehicles has become a recurring concern. He warned that enforcement agencies had been directed to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The Federal Controller further prohibited the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along highway corridors, describing the practice as harmful to both the environment and road infrastructure. He noted that blocked drainage channels caused by waste disposal accelerate the deterioration of roads and increase the risk of flooding.
According to him, enforcement of the new measures will begin immediately, with task force officials deployed to strategic points along the highway to monitor compliance and sanction violators. He added that appropriate road signs highlighting the restrictions have already been installed to notify motorists and other road users of the new traffic regulations.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a world-class infrastructure that requires proper maintenance and protection”, Dare said.
He urged motorists, transport operators and members of the public to cooperate with the government by adhering to the directives, noting that preserving the highway would extend its lifespan, improve safety and maximise the value of the huge public investment committed to the project.
