The Nigerian Government in its passionate about the plight of the citizens, has assured that there would be exercise of the right of way, and put a human face in the demolition of properties that were required to give way for the construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway.
Works Minister, Engr David Umahi gave the assurance during the flag-off of demolition of properties affected by the right of way on section 1 of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
Umahi who made the reassurance that there would be no delay in compensation payment to the property owners entitled, solicited their cooperation to the timeline of the demolition exercise.
He said, “We are doing some minor adjustments, and our commitment is to stay within the coastline. When the initial demolition order was passed to all the affected investors, so to speak.
“I graciously increased the period to another seven days and yet another 4 days, and here we are because the project stopped because of the part of this demolition, and I want to commend the likes of Mr Bolaji.”
The Minister also assured that the construction of the Coastal Highway being handled by Federal Government under His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would mark a major milestone in Renewed Hope roadmap towards economic diversification.
While flagging-off the demolition exercise, Umahi said, “This demolition is going to have a pure human face and so with the utmost fear of God, gratitude to God Almighty and commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To our infrastructural development in particular, I wish to flag-off this demolition exercise to get a right of way within the coastal corridor which is the legitimate right of the Federal Government”, the Minister added.
He however, called on all those to be affected by the demolition exercise to take it as a sacrifice for the ultimate impact of the project on the economic prosperity of the nation.
The Minister highlighted the socio-economic benefits of the project, including the money it will save for businessmen and women and the stability it will bring to the economy.
For those playing poltics with the economic enhancing project, he said, “Those who are playing poltics with this can go ahead. My job is simple, just to pass the coastal road and those who are into politics can continue..”
According to the statement released by the Ministry, one of the affected property owners, Mr. Balaji Ariyo ( Mami Chula), during the event said the demolition would no doubt affect his business but added that he had no option than to make sacrifice for the greater good of millions of Nigerians.
“Especially those whose livelihood would be impacted by the construction of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway which has a spur that connects South to North”.
He urged all those to be affected by this critical infrastructure to see it as a sacrifice for the good of all Nigerians. “Yeah, some of us are affected, no doubt about it. But some of us are not up to 0.1% of the millions of people that we enjoy the coastal road.
“That’s why someone like me and some others also have taken it to heart to also support Mr. President and the Honourable Minister to ensure that this road comes to life.”
Mr Ariyo noted that the coastal highway has the potential to create greater vistas of opportunities for businesses and other human development initiatives that would benefit a greater number of Nigerians.
He said, “As humans, those affected will feel the pain, but the future of the country must be put first.And some of us are paying the price in good faith. So we are human, we feel the pain. But at the same time, if you look at the longer picture, you realize that it’s the benefit of everyone.
“It’s more than the benefit of one person. Yes, we are sitting on a lot of money, a lot of money being recouped here. But at the same time, it is not worth the enjoyment or the free access of every other Nigerian that will apply the road. So Mr. Minister has already lectured me so well and has consoled me so many times”, he said.
The demolition exercise continues as the Committee of the Federal Ministry of Works on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section 1 Compensation, headed by the Controller of Works Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Olukorede Iyabo Kesha works round the clock to ensure that payment of compensation to affected property owners begins in earnest in a matter of days.