By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has said that property owners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project would be compensated using federal rate and not that of the state.
Umahi stated this on Thursday, April 18, 2024, while inaugurating the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project (Section 1) Compensation Committee in Abuja.
He said, “we’re setting up a review committee to look at the works done by the ESIA and the works to be reviewed by this committe is to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected and then in their presence, the presence of the committee, the ESIA and the contractor and look at the compensation as been directed to be paid and when possible you visit the site.
“We’re using the Federal rate to do our renumeration. I know very well that there is no body compensated that is satisfied with how much they are paid but we are bound by the law.
“We are using the Federal rate and the federal rate is higher than the Lagos state rate in paying compensation”.
The Minister explained that, the moment the property owners sign, and the necessary forms are filled with bank details, payment would be authorised within 72hours.
He disclosed that the contractor was in charge of paying renumeration directly to those are affected.
He further hinted that the verification of authentic property owners would start in Lagos next week Wednesday.
Umahi however clarified that, where there was a controversy regarding portions of land belonging to the Federal Government, they would need a presidential waiver for such to be paid:
“This committee is to verify those we’re going to pay compensation, verify the authenticity of those we’re going to pay compensation, verify the dimensions where possible and in their presence, the property owners would sign and then we go ahead and direct the contractors to pay.
“But where there is a little problem, it would need a presidential waiver for such to be paid, only those that have proven titles would be paid as they are brought to us in the ministry.
“We have to make it very clear that 250m legally belongs to the Federal Government and so if you have a title within this 250metres, and it is not a title from the Federal Government, then it is included and only Mr. President will give you a waiver if he feels so”, he said.
Members of the committee include:
1) Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha, the Chairman
2) Representative of the Director, Bridges And Design. – Engr Oladele Sola
3) Representative Of Honourable Minister. – Barr. Joseph Ekumankama
4) Engr. Olufemi Dare. – FMW, Lagos
5) ESIA Consultant. – Dr. Eugene Itua
6) Representative 1 ESIA. – Suv. Popoola Lateef
7) Representative 2 ESIA. – Emmanuel Eneh
8) Representative of Oba Oniru. – Mr. Yemi Stephen.
9) Representative of Oba Elegushi. – Mrs. Peju Omotayo
10)Representative. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran Land. – Hon. Jide Oye
11) Representative Of Oba Onibeju Of Ibeju. – Mr Agbaje Adesegun
12) Representative Of Eti Osa Local Government. – Adeola Adetoro
13) Representative of Ibeju Lekki Local Government. – Hon. Moruf Isah among others.
The Terms of Reference of the committee are; to review proposal made by ESIA Consultant for compensation and work with all stakeholders to achieve the committee ‘s goal within the timeline of 10days effective from Thursday, April 18, 2024.
