Security concerns emerge along coastal highway
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has called for a coordinated security strategy to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism, theft and other criminal activities.
The call followed a joint inspection of an 18-kilometre section of the highway from Okun-Ajah to Oniru, near the Rain Oil area. The inspection involved the NSCDC, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, and a representative of the Nigeria Police Force.
/ You Might Also Like /
NSCDC identifies threats along construction corridor
The NSCDC said officials observed several security concerns along the construction corridor, including the theft of manhole covers and iron rods, destruction of fencing, removal of construction materials and other forms of infrastructure vandalism.
Unauthorised U-turns and other illegal traffic operations were also identified as concerns during the inspection. The Corps warned that such activities could undermine the infrastructure investment if they become established along the route.
NSCDC Lagos Commandant Adedotun Keshinro said protecting the highway would require more than the efforts of a single security agency. He recommended cooperation among security agencies, government authorities and communities located along the corridor.
The Corps' mandate includes protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as supporting crime prevention and community safety.
Coastal highway spans 750 kilometres
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is planned to run approximately 750 kilometres from Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State.
The NSCDC said the scale and strategic importance of the project warrant its treatment as a Critical National Asset and Infrastructure. The Federal Ministry of Works has also described the highway as one of the Federal Government's major legacy road projects and part of a wider interconnected national transport network.
The inspected Lagos section includes major construction features such as flyovers, interchanges and deep-piled bridge infrastructure, highlighting the scale of investment along the corridor.
Security could affect infrastructure and development
Beyond the immediate protection of construction materials, security along the corridor has wider implications for its eventual economic and property-market impact.
Major transport infrastructure can improve accessibility to previously less-connected locations, supporting residential, commercial and mixed-use development where land, utilities and other infrastructure are available. However, the benefits depend partly on the ability to keep the infrastructure operational and secure.
Persistent vandalism could increase maintenance requirements, delay project delivery and add costs to infrastructure management. For communities and businesses developing around emerging transport corridors, reliable access and security are also important factors in investment decisions.
Communities expected to play a role
The NSCDC has emphasised the importance of community participation in securing the highway.
The Corps said residents and communities along the route could work with security agencies to identify threats and help prevent criminal activity. This approach would complement formal security measures and provide local knowledge of activities around the construction corridor.
Community involvement may become increasingly important as construction expands across different sections of the highway and more communities come into closer contact with the infrastructure.
Security concerns come amid wider infrastructure activity
The Federal Ministry of Works has said the coastal highway is intended to improve connectivity, trade and mobility along Nigeria's coastline. The ministry has also highlighted its links with other major road projects as part of a broader national transport network.
In July, the ministry also announced the deployment of 40 personnel to monitor completed sections of the highway, prevent theft and vandalisation of road furniture, and discourage illegal dumping.
These measures underline the need to incorporate security and maintenance into the long-term management of the project rather than treating protection as a temporary construction-stage concern.
Outlook
The NSCDC's call places security alongside construction progress, connectivity and maintenance as important factors in the long-term performance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
For the housing and property market, the eventual value of the corridor will depend not only on improved transport links but also on secure infrastructure, supporting utilities, effective planning and viable development around emerging communities. A coordinated security framework involving government agencies and local communities could help protect the investment and preserve the infrastructure's potential to support wider economic and property development.
READ MORE
