Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: FG approves N18b compensation

The Federal Government has approved a total of N18 billion for compensation of property owners and individuals impacted by the ongoing 700 kilometres Lagos-Calabar coastal road.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi disclosed this on Sunday in Lagos during the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works and the Federal Ministry of Works stakeholders’ engagement on the ongoing project to address grey areas in the construction process.

He stressed that the amount was jerked up from N8 billion to N18 billion by President Bola Tinubu to mitigate the impact on the citizens and to demonstrate his commitment to the successful completion of the project.

The Minister stressed that the final payment of the compensation will be done within 10 days, while the names and photographs of the recipients will be published.

He urged all stakeholders to support the project because of its overall economic benefits for the country.

Umahi, who advised all aggrieved parties to shun taking laws into their own hands, urged them to approach the court for adjudication of the grey areas.

The Minister added that the review of the environmental impact assessment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would take care of all concerns.

Beyond the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said the president has directed immediate repairs of roads across the country to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigeria.

He urged Governors in various states to go on with construction of road infrastructure across their states emphasising there were no distinctions between roads in the federation.

In their remarks, Chairmen of Works committees at the National Assembly led by Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwebonyi, and Chairman, House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi commended President Tinubu and the ministry for their transparency following the stakeholders meeting which addressed the alignment issues.

They stressed that whoever was affected would be duly compensated while cautioning against ethnic colouration of the project.

Speaking Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata said that President Bola Tinubu meant well for the country by approving the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, knowing it would bring about development.

The Permanent Secretary appealed to affected communities to ensure the progress of the project.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, lauded the unprecedented progress of work since the outset of the Tinubu-led government for releasing funds for the execution of major projects.