Lagos-Calabar Highway: FG commences payment of N2.7bn compensation to affected property owners
The federal government has commenced the payment of compensation to some property owners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday, presented dummy cheques to some property owners along the Lagos end of the road project.
Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.
However, concerns have been raised over funding and the businesses that will be impacted by the construction of the project, but all have been put to rest as compensation to those affected has kick off.
Speaking during the meeting, Umahi said the federal government has put a “human face” to the construction of the project by compensating affected property owners.
The minister said the federal government changed the project route to save some properties, adding that N2.7 billion would be paid to property owners as compensation.
“We have rerouted a number of places. At the ocean view, we saved 168 very beautiful duplexes. We have to go back to the shoreline,” he said.
“So, I wish to flag off the compensation from channel 0 to channel 3 with a total sum of N2.7 billion. That is very ambitious, but others should be patient as they will be paid as well,” the minister added.
The minister said property owners who would be compensated would receive the money before 1 pm on Thursday so that contractors can commence work.
The federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engr, (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha, said the compensation will be done in phases.
The property owners, who were compensated, are those who have structures within channels 0 and 3 of the project.
On his part, Bolaji Ariyoh, owner of Mami Chula Beach told the stakeholders at the meeting where compensation was paid that the Lagos-Coastal Road is what they have been clamouring for as they continue to pray for the development of Nigeria.
Bolaji said “I believe so much in Mr President and as a Lagosian this is a development we have set out for a long time and it is good that Mr President is doing that right now. In every development some people pay the price and sacrifice for such development. I was on government side before and I know what it is when government is promising. Some of us are affected no doubt about it, but some of us are not up to 0.9 per cent in the millions of people that will enjoy it. That is why people like me have taken it to heart to support Mr President and the honourable minister to ensure that it come to light.”
