Over 100 property owners in Lafiaji community, located in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, are gearing up for a legal battle against the Federal Government after receiving demolition notices related to the Lagos-Calabar Highway construction project.
In a statement titled, “Text of a Press Conference by Property Owners and Residents of Lafiaji Community, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State on the Disruption Caused by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Construction,” the community accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of altering the original Right of Way to protect the interests of prominent politicians.
The property owners emphasized that they had followed due process in acquiring their land and constructing their properties, ensuring they did not encroach on the established Right of Way for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Despite this, they have been issued demolition notices because they claim it is an arbitrary deviation from the long-established road alignment.
The statement highlighted, “In acquiring our plots of land and developing our homes, we obtained all necessary consents from the Lagos State Government, followed the approved Ojomu Family Layout Plan, and secured building approvals and development permits from relevant agencies.”
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However, the community alleged that some individuals had built on the Right of Way without valid legal titles, relying on fabricated documents facilitated by corrupt officials. The recent visit of the Minister of Works to the affected communities, where he allegedly directed a fresh survey to establish a new alignment, has further fueled their concerns.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which aims to connect Lagos to Cross River through several coastal states, has been a subject of public scrutiny and controversy since its construction began in March. The highway is seen as crucial for enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities along Nigeria’s coastal region, but it has faced criticism over the handling of compensations and the procurement process.
The Lafiaji community expressed their frustration, noting that they had written protest letters to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among other public officials, seeking intervention. Despite these efforts, officials from the Federal Ministry of Works resumed marking buildings in the community for demolition, indicating that the new alignment was still in place.
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The community’s investigation revealed that the Minister of Works had allegedly disregarded a directive from President Tinubu to revert to the original Right of Way. They claim the minister altered the highway’s alignment to avoid demolishing properties in estates with strong political connections, shifting the route through their land instead.
Faced with the prospect of losing their homes, the community members are now prepared to take legal action. Their legal representative, Jiti Ogunye, acknowledged the challenges of navigating the congested court system but vowed to pursue justice.
As the legal battle looms, the Federal Government continues to move forward with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, recently announcing a 21-day public display of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report. This assessment is intended to ensure the project complies with international standards and Nigerian regulations, considering its potential environmental and social impacts.
The Lafiaji community remains steadfast in their demand for the government to revert to the original Right of Way and halt what they describe as an abuse of power by the Minister of Works.