The Nigerian government has allocated ₦18 billion to compensate property owners affected by the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, according to Minister of Works David Umahi. The compensation payments for affected individuals along Section 1 of the highway are scheduled to be completed within the next 10 days, he announced on Sunday.
During a stakeholders’ engagement covering both sections of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, Umahi acknowledged the challenges involved in meeting legal compensation requirements. “Despite the complexity, my hands are tied by legal mandates, and I am obligated to ensure fair compensation,” he stated.
Originally, the Federal Executive Council had approved ₦8 billion for initial compensation following recommendations from the Bureau of Public Procurement, but this has since increased to ₦18 billion. Umahi assured stakeholders that detailed records of payments, including beneficiary names, property dimensions, and costs, will be made public. He added that the government is prepared to follow court rulings on any pending compensation-related cases, with an appeal to the Supreme Court if necessary to uphold democratic accountability.
Umahi has also instructed Lagos State’s Federal Controller of Works, Olukorede Keisha, to expedite the process without waiting for additional approvals, prioritizing the affected residents’ need to relocate. “By the end of the 10-day period, we aim to complete 100% of compensation payments,” he emphasized.
Additionally, Umahi addressed ongoing issues with delayed infrastructure projects, announcing the termination of several contracts due to unfulfilled deadlines. These include sections of the Lokoja-Benin corridor and the second phase of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway project, both of which will be reassigned. Regarding the slow progress on Section 3 of the Kano-Maiduguri project, Umahi commented, “Though some may call these terminations ‘strict,’ my focus is on ensuring efficiency and progress.”
Discussing the state of Nigerian bridges, Umahi outlined urgent concerns, including structural issues on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos due to corrosion from saltwater exposure. He revealed that ₦341 billion has been proposed to address these potential structural risks nationwide, with evaluations showing significant decay in bridges that have been poorly maintained for decades. Contractors such as Julius Berger are currently examining these issues to develop lasting solutions, which will be presented to the federal government and the National Assembly for emergency funding.
Finally, Umahi thanked the National Assembly for its planned retreat on the 2025 budget, expressing optimism that collaborative efforts with the President and lawmakers would ensure efficient allocation to priority projects.
