The federal government has announced plans to pay around N18 billion in compensation to property owners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
This amount is an increase from the initial N8 billion allocated for the project’s first phase, aimed at ensuring fair compensation for those impacted.
During a stakeholder engagement event in Lagos on Sunday, November 3, Minister of Works David Umahi revealed that this new figure, designated for phase one’s section one, demonstrates the government’s commitment to fair restitution.
He also noted that half of the compensation has already been distributed, with payments assessed and verified by independent experts. Umahi assured attendees that the remaining compensation would be completed within 10 days.
Akin Alabi, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, commended the ministry for its transparency and efforts to engage stakeholders.
He emphasized the need for publicly documenting compensation details to prevent misinformation and promote accountability.
“There are mischief makers out there, but by the time we start to publish these things, some people will have to keep quiet,” Alabi remarked, highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency and fairness in the process.
