‘We may shut Lagos–Calabar coastal highway if workers’ safety is not guaranteed’ — Umahi

The federal government may shut the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway if safety conditions around the project do not improve, David Umahi, minister of works, has said.

Umahi spoke on Channels Television after a construction worker was killed at section one of the highway project in Lagos.

The minister said the ministry had considered closing the road in December but was advised by President Bola Tinubu to keep it open to reduce traffic congestion.

According to Umahi, the worker was killed when a vehicle travelling at high speed left the carriageway and struck two concrete solar poles before hitting the worker, who was outside the road corridor at the time.

He said the ministry is now reviewing whether construction can continue safely and has opened discussions with the contractor, stressing that worker safety is non-negotiable.

“Only today, the worst situation happened. The worker was off the carriageway when a speeding vehicle knocked down two concrete solar poles and killed him instantly,” Umahi said.

“I am meeting with the contractor because if the lives of their workers are not safe, then we cannot continue work.”

Umahi said traffic would only be allowed to continue if the Lagos state government and security agencies give firm assurances on traffic control and worker protection.

He added that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would need to be deployed to address speeding, driving against traffic and other violations around the construction zone.

The minister warned that the road would be closed if conditions do not improve.

“If we receive assurances that LASTMA, the police and road safety officials will be deployed to curb these excesses and protect workers, then traffic can continue,” he said.

“But if after one week the situation remains the same — with wrong-way driving and excessive speeding — we will have no choice but to close section one of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway until construction is completed, likely in April.”