Trackers, Profiling as FG Unveils Special Guards to Secure Coastal Highway

Trackers, Profiling as FG Unveils Special Guards to Secure Coastal Highway

By Dada Jackson

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to safeguard the multi-billion-naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism by profiling all 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards, documenting their guarantors and installing tracking devices on their patrol motorcycles to ensure they are used strictly for official duties.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the specially trained guards, saying the initiative was designed to provide round-the-clock surveillance and protect the strategic highway from criminal activities and infrastructure vandalism.

According to Dare, the decision followed repeated cases of vandalism along the highway, where newly installed manhole covers, directional signs and other road facilities were stolen or damaged shortly after installation, even after being replaced.

He said the persistent destruction of public infrastructure made it imperative for the Ministry of Works to establish a dedicated security outfit focused solely on protecting the highway and preserving the huge investment committed to the project.

Dare explained that the 40 guards underwent specialised training conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and were equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools to enhance their efficiency on patrol.

He stressed that every member of the team had been properly profiled, with guarantors documented, while trackers had been fitted to their motorcycles to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of government property.

The controller urged the guards to discharge their responsibilities with discipline, professionalism and integrity, warning that any misconduct would attract appropriate sanctions.

He outlined their responsibilities to include preventing the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway, stopping indiscriminate parking of trailers and trucks, checking illegal U-turns, curbing vandalism of road facilities, preventing illegal grazing, street trading, unlawful occupation of the highway corridor and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

“The guards are expected to monitor the highway day and night, arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to the appropriate security agencies,” Dare said.

He also commended the supervisors, administrative officers and guards for their dedication throughout the training programme and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the Deputy Team Lead of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Kelvin Okereke, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Omahi, for creating the initiative, describing it as a valuable source of employment and empowerment for many Nigerians.

Okereke noted that beyond opening up economic opportunities through the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the project had also reinforced the need for Nigerians to protect critical national infrastructure.

He appealed to members of the public to regard the protection of government assets as a shared civic responsibility.

Also speaking, the Chief Security Officer of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Paul Mbam, said the initiative had not only provided him with gainful employment but also equipped him with valuable security training and operational skills that would enhance his effectiveness on the job.

The Administrative Officer of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Augustine Usumero, assured that the team would maintain proper operational records, ensure prudent management of government assets entrusted to it and work closely with relevant authorities to achieve the programme’s objectives.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would deliver the desired results, noting that the guards had already demonstrated a high level of commitment during their training and preliminary assessments.