The Federal Government has profiled 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards, and installed tracking devices on their motorcycles to ensure the vehicles are used only for official duties.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the guards, saying the initiative is aimed at protecting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and other illegal activities.
According to Dare, repeated cases of vandalism, including the theft of manhole covers and destruction of road signs shortly after installation, prompted the creation of the Coastal Road Guards to provide round-the-clock surveillance along the highway.
The 40 guards were trained by the Nigeria Police Force and equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools to support their work.
Dare said the officers would enforce traffic and environmental regulations on the highway by preventing the use of motorcycles and tricycles, stopping illegal U-turns, discouraging indiscriminate parking of trailers and trucks, and tackling illegal grazing, street trading, dumping of refuse and vandalism of road infrastructure.
He added that the guards are expected to patrol the highway day and night, arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to relevant security agencies.
He warned that the personnel would also be held accountable for any misconduct.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Team Lead of the Coastal Road Guards, Kelvin Okereke, described the initiative as a source of employment for many Nigerians, while Chief Security Officer Paul Mbam said the programme had provided him with valuable security training and practical skills.
Administrative Officer Augustine Usumero said the team would maintain proper records and ensure government assets deployed for the operation are effectively managed to achieve the programme's objectives.
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