David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has announced that 750 houses situated along the path of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are slated for demolition.
Umahi disclosed this information during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos, emphasizing that the demolition is necessary for the construction project’s progress.
During the meeting, Umahi clarified that the demolition plan aligns with the previously gazetted alignment of the highway. He explained that while 490 houses would be affected by the new alignment, following the original gazette alignment would result in the demolition of 750 houses. Additionally, Umahi assured stakeholders that a realignment at the Okun Ajah area would be implemented to avoid damaging submarine cables.
Furthermore, Umahi revealed that President Bola Tinubu has been invited to flag off the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project on Sunday, May 26, 2024. He emphasized the significance of the coastal highway in boosting tourism and facilitating economic growth.
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However, some property owners expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offered by the government for their affected properties. They argued that the compensation did not adequately reflect their investments in the marked properties. One property owner, Cajetan Onu, appealed for a fair evaluation of compensation, citing insufficient funds compared to their property investments.
Similarly, another property owner, Olanrewaju Ojo, criticized the compensation amount, stating that it was insufficient to cover his investment losses. Others echoed these sentiments, highlighting the disparity between the compensation and the market value of their properties.
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Responding to these concerns, Umahi defended the government’s compensation policy, asserting its impartiality and fairness. He revealed that over N2 billion had been allocated for compensation payments from channel 0 to channel 3 of the highway project.
The compensation process commenced with the flag-off for ten property owners during the stakeholders’ meeting. These included individuals representing various businesses and properties along the highway route.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, spanning 700 kilometers and extending through nine states, aims to enhance connectivity and foster economic development. Umahi emphasized that the road construction would utilize concrete pavement for durability and sustainability.