By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Demolition and compensation debate: Lagos-Calabar highway project.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that 750 houses along the path of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are marked for demolition. This revelation came during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Thursday.
“If we go by the new alignment, 490 houses would be demolished. However, following the gazetted alignment, 750 houses would be demolished,” Umahi stated. “There is no change of alignment; we are following the gazetted alignment. There would, however, be realignment at the Okun Ajah area by 25 kilometers to avoid damaging submarine cables.”
Despite this, property owners affected by the project have voiced dissatisfaction with the compensation offered by the government, claiming it does not adequately reflect their investments.
President Bola Tinubu has been invited to flag off the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on Sunday, May 26, 2024. According to the minister, the coastal highway is expected to boost tourism significantly.
“The new corridor will feature tourism centers, and relevant government departments will make land available for this purpose. This external funding is expected to reduce inflation and strengthen the naira. The Federal Government’s commitment remains at 30 percent of the local funding,” Umahi explained.
He emphasized that the new coastal corridor would benefit not just Lagos but the entire stretch of the 700-kilometer highway, connecting various states and linking Nigeria to other West African countries via the trans-Africa trade route.
During a Q&A session, 10 property owners received compensation. However, many property owners expressed frustration, arguing that the compensation is insufficient compared to their investments. The President of Total Energies Staff Cooperative Society, Cajetan Onu, expressed concern over the inadequate compensation.
“We are not against the project; we are requesting more time to recover what we can. The compensation does not reflect our investments,” Onu pleaded.
Olanrewaju Ojo, the founder of Leisure Games, criticized the compensation he received, saying, “This is ridiculous! I will make this in a week.”
Another business owner at Good Beach, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the compensation he received was only a fraction of his investment. Paul Osemele, another affected property owner, claimed the compensation rates do not reflect market value, adding that he had lost significant revenue since tenants moved out.
Umahi responded, asserting that the government had been fair in its compensation. He previously announced N2.75 billion in compensation for property owners affected by the highway construction from channel 0 to channel 3.
“To show sympathy for those who voted for Mr. President, we will do everything possible to provide fair compensation,” Umahi stated. “Today, we are paying over N2 billion in compensation just from channel 0 to channel 3.”
He noted that the compensation flag-off included 10 property owners initially, with subsequent payments to follow. The Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, confirmed that these were the first to be compensated, with more to come.
In March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will pass through nine states and feature two spurs leading to the northern states. The road will be built using concrete pavement. A committee was established to review, assess, and compensate landowners affected by the project.
Umahi explained that the committee, composed of ministry members, Lagos State representatives, affected communities, and other stakeholders, would verify claimants’ eligibility, assess the dimensions of affected properties, and determine appropriate compensation amounts.
Demolition, Compensation.
Demolition and compensation debate: Lagos-Calabar hiighway project