The Federal Government has threatened to shut the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within two weeks if motorists and other road users fail to comply with safety regulations along the route.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, issued the warning while announcing new restrictions aimed at improving safety and protecting infrastructure along the highway.

Dare said the government had banned activities including the operation of commercial motorcycles, truck parking, hawking and the establishment of shanties along the road.

He said security agencies would work together to remove illegal settlements and other structures considered potential hideouts for criminals.

According to him, more than 100 commercial motorcycles had already been impounded along the highway within the previous week, while the Lagos State Police Command had briefed divisional police officers stationed along the route on the enforcement measures.

The Federal Government also plans to deploy 40 coastal guards along the first section of the highway to work with the police and local communities in monitoring activities.

Dare expressed concern over the vandalisation of road infrastructure, saying about five kilometres of clear-view fencing had been removed while manhole covers covering an estimated 18-kilometre stretch had been stolen.

He said the government was considering replacing some of the clear-view fencing with blockwork and installing closed-circuit television cameras to strengthen surveillance.

The controller also warned motorists against speeding, noting that the approved speed limit on the highway was 30 kilometres per hour because construction work, including major bridge projects, was still ongoing.

He said some motorists had nevertheless been observed travelling at speeds of up to 100km/h and 120km/h.

Dare said the Federal Government had given road users two weeks to comply with the regulations, warning that the highway could be closed if the violations persisted.

He said Minister of Works Dave Umahi had directed that the road could be shut if the situation did not improve, stressing that the government could not continue to expose lives and infrastructure to avoidable risks.