The Federal Government has profiled 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards, documented their guarantors and installed GPS trackers on their patrol motorcycles to ensure the equipment is used strictly for official duties.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the guards, who have been deployed to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and other unlawful activities.
Dare said the initiative was introduced following repeated incidents of vandalism on the highway, including the theft of manhole covers and damage to road signs shortly after installation.
He explained that the guards, who received training from the Nigeria Police Force, have been equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools to enable round-the-clock surveillance of the highway.
According to him, the guards are expected to prevent the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the coastal highway, stop illegal U-turns, indiscriminate parking of trucks and trailers, illegal grazing, street trading, dumping of refuse and vandalism of public infrastructure.
They are also empowered to monitor the highway day and night, arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to relevant security agencies.
Dare urged the guards to carry out their responsibilities with discipline and professionalism, warning that they would be held accountable for any misconduct.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Deputy Team Lead Kelvin Okereke described the initiative as a source of employment for many Nigerians and commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for establishing the programme.
Other officials of the Coastal Road Guards pledged to maintain proper records, safeguard government assets and work closely with authorities to ensure the successful protection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.