Umahi threatens closure of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway over workers’ safety

Dave Umahi, minister of works, says the federal government may shut the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway if safety conditions around the project do not improve.

Umahi spoke on Channels TV following the death of a construction worker on the site of section one of the coastal highway.

He said the ministry had earlier considered closing the road in December but was directed by President Bola Tinubu to keep it open to ease traffic flow.

“We were tempted to close the coastal highway in December, but the president directed that we should not,” Umahi said.

According to the minister, the incident occurred when a vehicle travelling at high speed veered off the road and knocked down two concrete solar poles, killing the worker instantly.

Umahi said the ministry is now engaging the contractor on whether work can safely continue on the project, noting that the safety of workers must be prioritised.

“Only today, the worst situation happened. The contractor was killed while working. He was totally off the carriageway. A very high-speed vehicle came, brought down two concrete solar poles, veered off again and killed the worker instantly,” he said.

“I’m here to have a meeting with the contractor because if the lives of their workers are not safe, then we refuse to work.”

The minister said the continuation of traffic on the road would depend on assurances from the Lagos state government and security agencies to enforce traffic control and protect workers.

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

Umahi warned that the ministry would not hesitate to shut the road if the situation persists.

“If we’re able to calm the situation and appeal to the contractors, with assurances that Lagos state government, LASTMA, the police and road safety will be deployed to check these excesses and safeguard the workers, then we will allow traffic to flow,” he said.

“But if after one week the situation remains the same — people driving against traffic and excessive speeding — then we have no choice than to close the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway section 1 until we finish, probably in April.” (The Cable)