LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government has initiated steps to facilitate compensation payments to landowners affected by the construction of the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Inaugurating a compensation verification committee, Minister of Works, David Umahi, directed the panel to complete verification and commence remuneration within 10 days, ending April 28.
This move aims to accelerate the infrastructure project’s progress, which is set to revolutionize transportation in the country
Umahi stated that Hitech Construction Limited, the contractor, would settle verified claims within 72 hours. However, he did not disclose the total approved amount for the exercise.
The 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project has attracted public scrutiny due to concerns raised by affected stakeholders and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the cost, bidding, and procurement processes.
This road, intended to link Lagos to Cross River, traverses the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom before reaching Cross River. Estimates suggest that it will cost over N4 billion per kilometer.
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During the committee’s inauguration at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, the works minister emphasized that the action aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of transparency and renewed hope.
However, he cautioned that compensation would only be extended to property owners with verified titles. Those residing in shanties or owning property within the 250m shoreline setback without federal government titles would not be compensated, as it is a legal matter.
He stated that the committee’s duties include engaging with impacted property owners, evaluating compensation details, and potentially conducting on-site visits for thorough assessment.
Additionally, he clarified that the compensation amount would be determined based on the federal rate, rather than a lower figure proposed by the Lagos State government.
Umahi said, “We are committed to transparency and that is why we are inaugurating this committee today. We have had our alignment on both sections of phase one of the coastal road which is 47.7 km and the second section which is about 55km.
Hence the need to set up a review committee to look at the work done by the environmental assessment team and the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple. It is just to interact with property owners that are going to be affected and then in the process, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid and when possible, you visit the site; and at the moment we are using the federal rate to do our remuneration.”
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He further explained, “I know very well that no amount given will satisfy those affected but we are bound by the law so we are using the federal rate which is higher than Lagos State compensation rate in paying compensation. The moment the property owners sign, after filing necessary documents and bank accounts, within 72 hours, we will authorise payment.
“The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected. This, we are committed to doing, this verification exercise starts in Lagos on Wednesday.”
Umahi explained that in addition to verifying eligible recipients, the committee would assess dimensions and conduct calculations based on area and volume.
He emphasized that compensation would only be disbursed to individuals with validated titles, as submitted to the ministry, although further internal processes would be required.
“We have to make it very clear that 250 metres of the road legally belongs to the federal government.
“So if you have a title within these 250 metres and it is not a title from the federal government, then it is incumbent, and only the President will give a waiver if he so feels for payment. So I will work within the confines of the law,” he said
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Instructing the committee to diligently adhere to legal requirements, he emphasized, “The committee is not in charge of ramp or anything but just to verify those who are going to be paid compensation, the authenticity of those filing for compensation, verify the dimensions, where possible, the amount and in their presence where the property owner signed, once these are authenticated, we direct the contractor to go ahead and pay.
“It is from the contractor’s money the compensation is routed.
“But where there is a title problem, it will need a Presidential waiver for such to be paid. It is only those with proven titles that will be paid as they are brought to us in the Ministry; because they will still undergo all the verification processes.
“So anyone with a title within the 250m and is not a federal government title, then it is incumbent that only the President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid. So, I will work within the confines of the law.”