The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, on Sunday launched the Coastal Highway Guards, with an initial deployment of 40 officers to protect the newly constructed coastal highway and curb activities that could undermine the infrastructure.
The guards, led by retired General Adekunle Shodunke, are expected to maintain a constant presence along the highway and work in conjunction with security agencies in the state.
Their responsibilities include reporting suspicious activities, monitoring and reporting cases of vandalism, and preventing the use of the highway for activities considered unsafe or disruptive.
The Coastal Highway Guards will also enforce restrictions on hawking, loitering, and the operation of tricycles (Keke) and motorcycles (Okada) on the highway.
Launching the initiative, Umahi clarified that the programme was not an empowerment scheme, stressing that the guards had been engaged on a full-time basis to protect government infrastructure and other national assets.
The minister said the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and was designed to ensure that the coastal highway remains safe, secure and properly maintained.
The 40-member team will collaborate with relevant security agencies in the state to monitor the highway and respond to activities that may threaten its safety or the integrity of the infrastructure.