From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The federal government has initiated the verification process for properties situated on the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The objective is to compensate the affected property owners. However, any property located within the 250-kilometer corridor will be taken over by the federal government.
According to Engineer Nweze Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, the 250-kilometer space is the property of the federal government, and property owners within this area will require a waiver from the president in order to receive compensation. Moreover, shanty owners with unauthorized structures along the right of way, who may not possess valid titles, are also likely to face property loss.
During the inauguration of a verification committee and a meeting with the host communities in Abuja, Minister Umahi emphasized the use of the federal compensation rate instead of the state rate. Only those with verified titles will be eligible for compensation. He assured that once the owners are fully verified, they will receive payment within 72 hours.
“We are setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). And the work to be reviewed by this committee is very simple. It’s just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected and look at the compensation as enumerated,” stated Minister Umahi. “We are using a federal rate. I know that there’s nobody that will ever be satisfied, but we are bound by law. So, we are using federal rate, and federal rate is higher than Lagos State rate. The moment the verification is done, we authorize payment. The contractor is going to pay directly to all those who are affected.”
The minister further explained, “This verification will start on Wednesday in Lagos. The committee is just to verify those we are going to pay compensation; verify the authenticity of those we are going to pay compensation and verify the dimensions. But where there’s a title problem, it will need a presidential waiver for such to be paid. Only those with approved titles will be paid. The owners will be sure that within 72 hours they would be paid. They have to make it clear that 250 kilometers belong to the federal government. So, if you have a title within the 250 kilometers, only Mr. President will give a waiver. So, I will work within the confines of the law. We have not more than 10 days to have this done.”
Engineer Mrs. Keisha will lead the committee responsible for the verification process. Minister Umahi clarified that the committee’s role is solely to validate the claims of those eligible for compensation.