The federal government has properly profiled the 40 newly inaugurated coastal road guards, documented their guarantors and installed trackers on their motorcycles.

The installation ensures the equipment is used strictly for official assignments.

At the ceremony on Thursday in Lagos, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, said the deployment of the guards was to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and other unlawful activities.

Mr Dare said the initiative became necessary following repeated vandalism of facilities installed on the highway.

According to him, infrastructure such as manhole covers and directional signs were vandalised shortly after installation and damaged after replacement.

He said the recurring incidents prompted the ministry to engage the guards to provide round-the-clock surveillance and preserve the integrity of the road.

Mr Dare said the 40 guards were trained by the Nigeria Police Force and equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools for effectiveness.

The controller charged the guards to carry out their duties with discipline and professionalism, warning that they would also be held accountable for any unlawful conduct.

He said the guards are expected to prevent the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway and discourage indiscriminate parking of trailers and trucks.

Mr Dare said they were also expected to stop illegal U-turns, curb vandalism of manhole covers and road signs, and prevent illegal grazing and street trading.

The controller added that the guards are also expected to stop illegal occupation of the highway corridor and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

“They are to monitor the highway both in the day and at night, arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to appropriate security agencies,” he said.

Mr Dare commended the guards, their supervisors and administrative officers for their commitment during training and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Earlier, the deputy team Lead of the coastal road guards, Kelvin Okereke, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for the initiative.

He said it provided a source of income for some youths.

He added that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway created new opportunities.

Mr Okereke urged Nigerians to see the protection of government assets as a collective responsibility.

The chief security officer of the coastal road guards, Paul Mbam, said the initiative provided him with gainful employment and exposed him to valuable security training.

He said the training equipped him with the knowledge and skills to effectively discharge his responsibilities.

In his remarks, Augustine Usumero, an administrative officer in charge of the guards, said the team would ensure the objectives of the initiative were achieved.

Mr Usumero said proper records would be maintained, and government assets provided for the operation would be effectively managed.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would succeed, noting that the guards had already demonstrated commitment during preliminary assessments. 

(NAN)