The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that the Federal Government will, on Wednesday (today), pay N2.75 billion in compensation to property owners affected by the demolition necessary for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway spanning from channel 0 to channel 3.
He revealed this information during a stakeholders meeting held in Lagos State on Wednesday.
He said, “To show sympathy for people who voted for Mr President, we would do everything possible to pay the human face compensation.
“Today, we are paying over N2bn in compensation just from channel 0 to channel 3.”
Umahi noted that the compensation being done was a flag-off for 10 people, directing that the rest of those to be compensated should go to the Secretariat of the Compensation Committee for payment.
He added, “All tenants within the Landmark premises, today, have all been shortlisted and they will get the alerts by 2:00 pm.
“Most of them are here and that closes the politics of Landmark.
The minister directed the remaining uncompensated property owners to the compensation committee
“All the people should meet with the committee.
“The committee will be sitting from 2:00 pm so that you will sign your documents in the form of indemnity and you will get your alert tomorrow before 2:00 pm.”
The first phase of the compensation flag-off included 10 property owners, which were: Olaotan Olamuyiwa of Checkmate; Kemi Osinibi of Landmark Kids Club by Maxtivity; Mide Adegbite, Peter Oladipupo of FX Lounge; Bukola Oloko, Abiodun Oguntunde of Xchange Lagos; Dapo Oniru of Moist Beach; Mustapha Olatunji of G12 Beach; Dr Bashir Oshodi, and Bestrock.
The Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, noted that the aforementioned property owners were the first ten to be compensated, adding that subsequently, other compensations would ensue.
Speaking to one of the compensated property owners on the amount given, who spoke under anonymity, she disclosed that they had signed a document that required them not to speak on the issue.
In March, the Federal Government started constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.
Umahi revealed that the road would be built using concrete pavement.
In the following month, the government established a committee tasked with the responsibilities of reviewing, assessing and compensating landowners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Expressway.
Umahi said that the committee, comprising members drawn from the ministry, Lagos State, affected communities, and other stakeholders, had primary responsibilities that included verifying the eligibility of claimants, assessing the dimensions of affected properties, and determining the appropriate compensation amounts.
