The Federal Government has taken a firm stance against acts of vandalism on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, warning that individuals responsible will face legal consequences.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, gave the warning during an on-site inspection of the ongoing project in Lagos. He raised concerns over the destruction of metal barriers, the unlawful opening of manholes and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the highway.
Describing the incidents as unacceptable, the minister said such actions undermine national infrastructure and public safety. He disclosed that anyone apprehended for damaging government property would be prosecuted without delay.
Umahi revealed that a legal team comprising seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria had been assembled to handle all litigation relating to the project, signalling the government’s readiness to pursue offenders through the courts.
He commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police for deploying patrol vehicles to secure the corridor. The minister added that the Federal Ministry of Works would provide logistical support, including fuel and operational allowances, to reinforce security patrols along the route.
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Addressing concerns about flooding in certain sections, Umahi attributed the problem to refuse dumped into drainage channels, which obstruct water flow. He said temporary steps would be taken to seal exposed manholes to prevent further misuse.
The minister appealed to communities along the highway to take collective responsibility for protecting the infrastructure, stressing that public projects belong to the people and must be safeguarded.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering quality work, noting that the administration is deploying its best engineering expertise to ensure the project meets high standards.
Umahi also called on Nigerians to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that ongoing infrastructure development forms part of broader efforts to rebuild and strengthen the nation’s economy.
He pointed to improvements in key economic indicators, including relative currency stability, foreign reserves estimated at about 49 billion dollars and a decline in inflation to around 15 per cent, as evidence of gradual economic recovery.
The minister urged citizens to remain united and to support government initiatives aimed at expanding and preserving critical infrastructure nationwide.
