The Federal Government has imposed an outright ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in a move authorities say is aimed at protecting the new multi-billion-naira corridor from early damage and disorder.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, announced the decision in a statement, explaining that the restriction takes immediate effect and covers the entire stretch of the coastal highway as well as all bridges across Lagos State connected to the route.

Dare said the measure was introduced to safeguard what he described as a world-class infrastructure from misuse and deterioration, stressing that the government is determined to avoid the pattern of rapid decay that has plagued many major roads nationwide.

According to him, the ministry’s directive goes beyond motorcycles and tricycles. Indiscriminate parking of trucks and articulated vehicles along the highway and on bridges will no longer be tolerated, as such practices obstruct traffic, weaken bridge structures and accelerate wear on the pavement.

The ministry has also outlawed the indiscriminate disposal of refuse along the highway corridors, describing the habit as both an environmental and safety hazard. Littering, blocked drains and illegal dumping, officials warn, can lead to flooding, erosion and faster degradation of the road surface.

Dare disclosed that road signs indicating the new restrictions have already been installed at strategic points along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. In addition, task force officials are being deployed to enforce compliance, with offenders expected to face strict penalties.

He urged all categories of road users, including commercial transport operators, private motorists and residents of communities along the corridor, to respect the new rules in the interest of public safety and the long-term value of the project.

Preserving the integrity of the coastal highway, he noted, will extend its lifespan, reduce maintenance costs and ensure that the road continues to serve as a critical economic artery linking Lagos to other coastal states and boosting trade, tourism and regional connectivity.