The last is yet to be heard over the concerns surrounding the right of way of the 700 kilometers coastal road, as some property owners affected by the project have appealed to the Federal and Lagos authorities to consider shifting the route to save their property worth over N35 billion from demolition.

They are also appealing to the Federal and Lagos governments to consider paying them compensation before the demolition of their buildings. The affected properties are in Orile Ilasan, lroko-Awe Community Development Areas, and Oba Elegushi Royal Estate, Lagos.

The Federal Executive Council had recently approved a N1.06 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the 700-kilometer coastal road project, which will cover Lagos, Calabar and other states of the country.

In a letter by their lawyer, B. Chinedu Moore & Associates, to the Federal and Lagos State governments, the 50 property owners are demanding a revert to the initial position of the coastal road project. The property owners have forwarded their documents to the authorities. The entire place is covered by the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) granted to the Elegushi Royal family.

Specifically, they asked the government to shift the coastal road project from their locations back to the regional plan as much as possible. “There is a deviation from the initial position of the coastal road. It is the deviation that has affected them.

“There is ample undeveloped expanse of land space to accommodate the realignment or re-routing being sought. In the alternative, the span of the highway on these sections could be reduced from the proposed 120 metres to about 60 metres as is being done at the Victoria Island and Oniru sections thereof without negatively impacting the overall objective, purpose and use of the highway.

“If the government can’t shift it to the original location, they should reduce the span so that up to Ibeju Lekki where there is less development, they can now increase it,” they said.

In the letter titled: “Re: Construction of the Lagos –Calabar coastal highway, a letter of appeal for a re-alignment or re-route of the highway at the Orile-Ilasan, Iroko Awe communities (CDA’s) and Oba Elegushi royal estate sections of the highway in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos state.”

The affected communities and estates explained that they are within the layout granted by the Lagos State government to the Elegushi Royal Family of Ikate land of Lagos State vide Certificate of Occupancy dated April 16, 1999, and registered as No. seven at page seven in volume 1999 (Tourism) of the land Registry, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos.

The letter reads: “Our clients are poised to be very adversely affected by the ongoing stage 1 construction of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway being undertaken by the Federal Government in conjunction with the Lagos State government.

“This was caused by a surprising shift or diversion of the proposed highway away from the coastline (as earlier designed) into our clients’ well-developed communities such that more than 50 well-built houses worth over N35 billion are affected, aside many others that are partially affected. These houses have been marked and removal notices served on them by Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development with the threat of imminent demolition.”

The homeowners emphasised that there is a sufficient undeveloped expanse of land space between their communities and estates, and the coastline (beach) to accommodate a re-alignment or a reroute of the highway to save them from palpable agony of emotional and psychological trauma, mental frustration, financial and physical dislocation, and imminent homelessness.

“We have attached to this letter copies of the removal notices issued to some of our clients/properties by the Ministry of Physical Planning and appealed for immediate intervention in this matter in the best interest of your people, and in line with the promise that properties shall not be demolished for purposes of the highway wherever it is possible not to do so.

They advised that a realignment of the highway towards the beach will save the project the huge cost of compensation payment if otherwise, adding that the highway could equally be reduced within the axis without impacting negatively on the overall purpose and objective of the road infrastructure.

“We appeal you direct the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development not to embark on the demolition of buildings in our clients’ communities and estate until a firm decision has been taken on our appeal, and adequate compensation paid, in the event the realignment/re-route is not approved,” they said.

Meanwhile, a former ADC gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State, Funso Doherty has called on the state government to consider businesses that have invested in employing locals and contributing taxes, while reclaiming land for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

In an open letter to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Doherty highlighted the government’s current and planned actions regarding the right of way and compulsory property acquisition for the road project, urging a thoughtful approach to avoid negatively impacting these valuable business entities.

He acknowledged the state’s undeniable and constitutionally guaranteed powers of compulsory property acquisition, advised that such authority should be exercised with judiciousness, fairness, and compassion.

He said: “Some of the properties are owned and operated by businesses that have invested substantial sums, taken commercial risks and succeeded, contributing to the city, while employing residents and paying taxes. The effect on them, on their employees and the city should be carefully considered.”

Doherty advised that, in cases of compulsory property acquisition for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the state government should seek alternative solutions.

Doherty noted that while informal settlements and shanties might be deemed illegal and targeted for demolition to clear land for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road right of way, human and social consequences of such actions, particularly on vulnerable populations, should be considered.

Doherty urged the government to implement measures to mitigate the impact on those affected.

He also requested that the government ensure fair and just compensation for owners of properties, including undeveloped lands, which are to be acquired as part of land reclamation for the coastal road project along its entire stretch within the state.