N18bn will be paid as compensation for Lagos-Calabar coastal road project

The federal government says it will pay about N18 billion as compensation to owners of properties affected by the construction of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Dave Umahi, the minister of works, spoke in Lagos on Sunday at a stakeholders’ engagement on the ongoing construction of phase 1, sections 1 and 11 of the project.

Umahi noted that the compensation has increased from the initial N8 billion to about N18 billion, to ensure fair requital of the affected citizens.

“The federal executive council initially approved N8 billion for this corridor, but today we are hitting N18 billion, and this is just for section one,” the minister said.t

He noted that half of the compensation had already been paid to the affected persons, adding that the amount was justified and determined by independent experts.

He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to completing the compensation within the next 10 days.

Akin Alabi, chairman of the house of representatives committee on works, commended the ministry for transparency and stakeholders’ engagement in the compensation process.

He emphasised the need for the ministry to publish compensation details to counter 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 said.