The federal government has disclosed that it will pay nearly N18 billion as compensation to owners of properties affected by the construction of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The minister of works, Dave Umahi made this disclosure in Lagos on Sunday at a stakeholders’ engagement on the ongoing construction of phase 1, sections 1 and 11 of the project.
He explained that the compensation has increased from the original 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.
Umahi added that half of the compensation had already been paid to the affected individuals, noting that the amount was justified and fixed by independent experts.
The minister re-echoed FG’s commitment to concluding the compensation within the next 10 days.
The chairman of the house of representatives committee on works, Akin Alabi lauded the ministry for transparency and stakeholders’ engagement in the compensation process.
The lawmaker highlighted the need for the ministry to publish compensation details so as to counter misinformation and then to 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.