Tinubu to Launch Project Sunday; Ministry to Proceed with Demolitions per Gazette
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the impending demolition of 750 houses along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route. This announcement came during a stakeholder meeting in Lagos.
Umahi stated that adhering to the gazetted alignment requires the demolition of 750 houses, while a new alignment would have reduced this number to 490. Additionally, a 25-kilometer realignment in the Okun Ajah area will occur to avoid damaging submarine cables.
Property owners affected by the demolition have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s compensation, claiming it is insufficient compared to their investments. During a Q&A session, Umahi revealed that President Bola Tinubu is set to inaugurate the highway on Sunday, May 26, 2024. The project aims to boost tourism and economic connectivity, linking multiple states and extending to Cameroon as part of a trans-African trade route.
Compensation for the affected property owners has begun, with 10 owners receiving payments. However, many remain unhappy, describing the compensation as inadequate. Cajetan Onu of Total Energies highlighted the insufficiency of the payments and called for fairer compensation.
Other property owners, including Olanrewaju Ojo and an anonymous business owner, voiced frustration over receiving far less than the value of their investments. Paul Osemele noted that the compensation does not reflect market values and lamented the financial losses due to tenant relocations.
Umahi defended the government’s approach, asserting that the compensation process is fair. He announced a N2.75 billion compensation package for those affected from channel 0 to channel 3. This initial phase includes 10 property owners, with subsequent payments to follow.
The Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, confirmed that the compensation process would continue for other property owners. Construction of the 700-kilometer highway began in March, spanning nine states and including spurs to the Northern States. A committee has been formed to oversee compensation, tasked with verifying claims and assessing property values.
