Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Property Owners Reject Government Compensation

N18bn Offer Spurned: Lagos-Calabar Highway Landowners

“I was offered N42 million compensation, but I did not take it...”

Federal Government's N18bn Compensation Offer for Lagos-Calabar Highway Rejected

Property owners along the Lagos-Calabar Highway have rejected the Federal Government's compensation offer, deeming it grossly inadequate. One disgruntled owner criticized the proposal, saying the offered sum represents only a tiny fraction of his property's true value.

“My property was valued at over N400 million, both the land and developments thereon, which were four bungalows, but I was just given N3.3 million. The most essential value is the land itself, the cost of the land was so enormous that I had to sell two of my properties in different locations on the mainland in order to acquire this particular one,” he said.

“The Lagos State Government did not stop us or ask us not to build, and this particular part of my land was not gazetted for this alignment.”

Another property owner affected by the Lagos-Calabar Highway project shared that the situation remains dire, forcing him to relocate to his hometown due to the crisis.

“I was offered N42 million compensation, but I did not take it. Why would I take N42 million, when my property was valued at N978 million, which is close to a billion? This does not just apply to me alone but to many others,” he said.

“They demolished a twin duplex of five bedrooms each, converted into 16 apartments, with a penthouse, and a four two-bed flat each behind.”

Sola Enitan, leader of the coalition advocating for fair compensation, highlighted that one of the affected property owners earned N36 million annually from the demolished properties, underscoring the significant financial impact of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

He said, “The government is claiming to want to spend N15 trillion on a road when everybody around the world knows that such a project requires N2-3 trillion in plant availability compensation payment, these are global best practices.

“We would have gone to court but we have not because we are currently in the House of Representatives, of which the Works Minister did not turn up, despite serving him twice.”

A property owner affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, who wishes to remain anonymous, has slammed the Federal Ministry of Works' compensation offer as “absurd,” citing its inadequacy in relation to their property's true value.

He said, “They had made a ridiculous offer, it's about three per cent of the assessed value of my property. And in addition, wanted me to sign an indemnity stating they had paid me fully for my whole property. I refused to sign so they refused to pay any compensation.”

“My property is on two plots measuring over 1,700sqms. I built a beautiful one- storey building with 4 bedrooms for myself and my family. We also have a two-room ensuite boys' quarters.

“It was valued at over N630 million. But their offer came to about N18 million, I am seeking redress/justice for fair compensation through my lawyers, however going to court would be the last resort. We have tried appeals to them, and the National Assembly is holding a hearing in this regard as well.”

Cajetan Onu, President of the Total Energies Staff Cooperative Society and Staff Club, expressed dissatisfaction with the government's compensation offer for properties affected by the Lagos-Calabar Highway project, stating it doesn't cover the initial investment.

He appealed, “As I speak now, we have a bulldozer on our fence and we started developing our clubhouse four years ago, and we just commissioned it this year. We are not against the project; what we are requesting is more time to recover the equipment we can recover.

“Our second request is on the evaluation that was done to be on the cost for the compensation. We feel it is grossly inadequate compared to how much investment we put into this property. We beg you to assist us to ensure that we get the right compensation for this property.”

Cajetan Onu, President of the Total Energies Staff Cooperative Society and Staff Club, expressed dissatisfaction with the government's compensation offer for properties affected by the Lagos-Calabar Highway project, stating it doesn't cover the initial investment.

He said, “This is ridiculous! What am I supposed to do with this? I will make this in a week.”

Olanrewaju Ojo, founder of Leisure Games, revealed that the N1.3 million compensation he received was surprisingly equal to his usual weekly earnings.

He said, “For me, the compensation I was given is about 1/6 of what we submitted. It is not up to what we invested in this business.

“I am having mixed feelings now and I do not know what to do. I do not know if I should accept or reject this.”

Minister of Works David Umahi announced an increase in the compensation budget for Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from N8 billion to N18 billion. This revised budget aims to fairly compensate property owners affected by the project.

Umahi assured that all eligible individuals in Section 1 would receive their compensation payments within 10 days, providing relief to those impacted by the highway's construction.

He said, “There is a legal basis for this, though I'm not a legal expert; we consulted experts for that, and 50 percent of the compensation has already been paid. I have directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Keisha, to avoid waiting for further approvals from the Federal Executive Council, as the interests of the affected individuals must be prioritized.

“Those affected should be able to access their funds for relocation. Therefore, within the next 10 days, we will complete 100 percent of the payments as documented by our enumerators.”