Lagos-Calabar Highway: FG panel to pay compensation in 10 days
19th April 2024

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a compensation verification committee saddled with the responsibility of reviewing, evaluating and compensating landowners affected by the construction of the N15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who inaugurated the panel, also directed the committee to complete all verification and begin remuneration in 10 days ending April 28.

The move was part of efforts to hasten construction of the project set to revolutionise infrastructure in the country.

Umahi said verified claims would be settled within 72 hours by the contractor, Hitech Construction Limited, but remained silent on the total amount approved for the exercise.

The 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project has been a subject of public scrutiny, following concerns by affected stakeholders and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the cost, bidding and procurement processes.

The road designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, before culminating in Cross River, estimated to gulp over N4bn per Kilometer.

The works minister, while inaugurating the committee at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, said the gesture was in line with the renewed hope agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu which is transparency.


He, however, warned that only property owners with proven titles would receive compensation, while shanties and those with property within the 250m shoreline setback without a federal government title would not be compensated, as it is a legal matter.

He said the committee was responsible for engaging with affected property owners, assessing compensation details, and potentially visiting the sites for proper evaluation.

He further added that the federal rate on compensation would be used to determine the amount and not a lower figure 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.”



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 said that apart from verifying those to be paid, the committee would also verify the dimensions and make calculations based on the area and volume.


“So only those that have proven titles will be paid as they are brought to us in the ministry, although, it will still undergo some processes from us.

“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

Tasking the committee to be diligent in adhering to the dictates of the law, he said, “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.”

https://punchng.com/lagos-calabar-highway-fg-panel-to-pay-compensation-in-10-days/

“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

This could be where Landmark may be having problem and thereby clamouring that the road be returned to its old design of 4 lanes with no train instead of the current design of 10 lanes and 700km stretch of train lines in the midsection of each 5 lanes currently being constructed.

It's always absolutely important to check out the status of any land you're buying. Apparently, this is why for decades, most of that part of VI remained undeveloped; people are aware that FG owns that land and may have designated it for a major infrastructural project . It's unfortunate that Landmark took a huge risk by situating its real estate assets and beach resort there. Even the Minister of Works, in his recent interview, asserted that Landmark annexed the beach shoreline as that was not approved for Landmark by neither Lagos state nor Federal Government.

Landmark should start strategizing on the next line of action since the sandfilling of the beach shoreline has commenced. I am sure that they will be better elsewhere if they consider relocation too.

May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

Even in ten years time the compensation will not be paid.

No comment

This will be one of Tinubus signature projects. He is showing a serious commitment to infrastructural development and legacy. If he finishes the project it might later be named Bola Tinubu Highway by his successor from the North.

Haha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha

Very good

Max24:
This will be one of Tinubus signature projects. He is showing a serious commitment to infrastructural development and legacy. If he finishes the project it might later be named Bola Tinubu Highway by his successor from the North.

You mean Atiku Abubakar in 2027?

That's a good idea.

Na wa o

Goood!!!!!

MEGAWATCH:


You mean Atiku Abubakar in 2027?

That's a good idea.

Hahaha.....The recently concluded PDP NWC meeting didn't go well with Turakin Adamawa o. Even if it goes North, it may not be for HE Atiku. Asiwaju is getting 2 terms and after he completes his two terms, power will likely move North: say a Shettima-Fashola ticket.

This may be why HE Fashola is 'resting' for now after his uninterrupted 20 straight years of holding high level public offices

interesting

FreeStuffsNG:

Hahaha.....The recently concluded PDP NWC meeting didn't go well with Turakin Adamawa o. Even if it goes North, it may not be for HE Atiku. Asiwaju is getting 2 terms and after he completes his two terms, power will likely move North: say a Shettima-Fashola ticket

Hahaha hahaha!

Let's see what the power hungry north will do in 2027 and the response of the south south and southeast to the Yorubas who has continued destroying their investment in Lagos.

2027 will be an interesting political year.

So much horse trading and heart breaking betrayals loading.

MEGAWATCH:



Hahaha hahaha!

Let's see what the power hungry north will do in 2027 and the response of the south south and southeast to the Yorubas who has continued destroying their investment in Lagos.

2027 will be an interesting political year.

So much horse trading and heart breaking betrayals loading.

1.Remove South South from your mystery. They are more reasonable and civil people. No South South play victim of demolition because they are intelligent enough to operate above victimhood as they see how several demolitions have been done in Anambra,IMO and Abja while you people kept mute.


2.You miserable IPOB terrorists have been the NORTH spokesman in Tinubu affairs since 2015 and you have failed on several occasions. ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED OF YOUR FRUSTRATED LIFE?

3.Betrayal 😆....you mean like the one that just happend between St.Peter pethief OBI the fool and ABURE/NLC?


4.Get it to your skull,BAT will stay beyond 2027.All your principalities and powers could not stop in as a citizen talk less of why he is in power.MAY GOD SPEAR HIS LIFE

But is it right and a good precedent that such a humongous contract is given to one man without bidding process?

FreeStuffsNG:
“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

This could be where Landmark may be having problem and thereby clamouring that the road be returned to its old design of 4 lanes with no train instead of the current design of 10 lanes and 700km stretch of train lines in the midsection of each 5 lanes currently being constructed.

It's always absolutely important to check out the status of any land you're buying. Apparently, this is why for decades, most of that part of VI remained undeveloped; people are aware that FG owns that land and may have designated it for a major infrastructural project . It's unfortunate that Landmark took a huge risk by situating its real estate assets and beach resort there. Even the Minister of Works, in his recent interview, asserted that Landmark annexed the beach shoreline as that was not approved for Landmark by neither Lagos state nor Federal Government.

Landmark should start strategizing on the next line of action since the sandfilling of the beach shoreline has commenced. I am sure that they will be better elsewhere if they consider relocation too.

May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

But the so called one km already constructed, there's no rail line, midway. Do what happened?

KennethOkonkwo:

1.Remove South South from your mystery. They are more reasonable and civil people. No South South play victim of demolition because they are intelligent enough to operate above victimhood as they see how several demolitions have been done in Anambra,IMO and Abja while you people kept mute.


2.

Hahaha hahaha!

That's how funny people think!

They hit you and expect you never to remember they did that.

If you want the south south to forget about what has been happening in Lagos, do you expect them to forget the backstabbing of Jonathan in 2015 by the southwest?

So only the Southwestners has the right to remember those who hurt them in politics?

Hahaha

You need to go back and ask why politics is called a dirty game.

Akwamkpuruamu:


But the so called one km already constructed, there's no rail line, midway. Do what happened?

Go and listen to the expository interview of HE Dave Umahi, Minister of Works. Ignorance is not bliss.

Just a highway to fraud..

Long distance should go for train to help save excess spending on fuel

Nice

Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday Today and Forever

The rush with which Tinubu is executing this project of 15 triilion(15% of our GDP) without appropriation shows he has clandestine and corrupt motive! Especially as it was done without bidding but awarded to his business partner

FreeStuffsNG:
Lagos-Calabar Highway: FG panel to pay compensation in 10 days
19th April 2024


https://punchng.com/lagos-calabar-highway-fg-panel-to-pay-compensation-in-10-days/

Yorubas have held power since 2015 with nothing to show for it. When an Igbo man becomes president, thats only when Nigeria will change for good. All changes has always been Igbo led !

KennethOkonkwo:

1.Remove South South from your mystery. They are more reasonable and civil people. No South South play victim of demolition because they are intelligent enough to operate above victimhood as they see how several demolitions have been done in Anambra,IMO and Abja while you people kept mute.


2.You miserable IPOB terrorists has been the NORTH spokesman in Tinubu affair since 2015 and you have failed on several occasions. ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED OF YOUR FRUSTRATED LIFE.

3.Betrayal 😆....you mean like the one that just happend between St.Peter pethief OBI the fool and ABURE/NLC?


4.Get it to your skull,BAT will stay beyond 2027.All your principalities and powers could not stop in as a citizen talk less of why he is in power.MAY GOD SPEAR HIS LIFE

KennethOkonkwo:

1.Remove South South from your mystery. They are more reasonable and civil people. No South South play victim of demolition because they are intelligent enough to operate above victimhood as they see how several demolitions have been done in Anambra,IMO and Abja while you people kept mute.


2.You miserable IPOB terrorists has been the NORTH spokesman in Tinubu affair since 2015 and you have failed on several occasions. ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED OF YOUR FRUSTRATED LIFE.

3.Betrayal 😆....you mean like the one that just happend between St.Peter pethief OBI the fool and ABURE/NLC?


4.Get it to your skull,BAT will stay beyond 2027.All your principalities and powers could not stop in as a citizen talk less of why he is in power.MAY GOD SPEAR HIS LIFE

Amin,insha Allah!

In 2031 after president tinubu administration the president is governor babangana Umar zulum and senator Dave umahi

FreeStuffsNG:
“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

This could be where Landmark may be having problem and thereby clamouring that the road be returned to its old design of 4 lanes with no train instead of the current design of 10 lanes and 700km stretch of train lines in the midsection of each 5 lanes currently being constructed.

It's always absolutely important to check out the status of any land you're buying. Apparently, this is why for decades, most of that part of VI remained undeveloped; people are aware that FG owns that land and may have designated it for a major infrastructural project . It's unfortunate that Landmark took a huge risk by situating its real estate assets and beach resort there. Even the Minister of Works, in his recent interview, asserted that Landmark annexed the beach shoreline as that was not approved for Landmark by neither Lagos state nor Federal Government.

Landmark should start strategizing on the next line of action since the sandfilling of the beach shoreline has commenced. I am sure that they will be better elsewhere if they consider relocation too.

May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

.


Plz have you seen the map and the routes of this Lagos Calabar coastal line

MEGAWATCH:



Hahaha hahaha!

Let's see what the power hungry north will do in 2027 and the response of the south south and southeast to the Yorubas who has continued destroying their investment in Lagos.

2027 will be an interesting political year.

So much horse trading and heart breaking betrayals loading.

That highway is a Bigger Investment in the SS and the SE too will benefit
How many minutes is Aba from Port Harcourt and Uyo the highway will run through with Railway also part of it ?

FreeStuffsNG:

Hahaha.....The recently concluded PDP NWC meeting didn't go well with Turakin Adamawa o. Even if it goes North, it may not be for HE Atiku. Asiwaju is getting 2 terms and after he completes his two terms, power will likely move North: say a Shettima-Fashola ticket.

This may be why HE Fashola is 'resting' for now after his uninterrupted 20 straight years of holding high level public offices

Fashola again! Don't you think Wike also has plans?

Nice