The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, Thursday, inaugurated the Compensation Verification Committee for the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, with a 10-day deadline to fulfil its mandate.
With the development, the process of compensation payments to the affected property owners affected by the project has kicked off.
Umahi, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja via Zoom, assured that verified claims will be settled within 72 hours by the contractor, Hitech Construction Ltd.
He, however, clarified that only property owners with proven titles will receive compensation, while shanties and those with property within the 250m shoreline setback without a Federal government title would not be compensated, as it is a legal matter.
The Minister also clarified that compensation for such titles would necessitate a Presidential waiver, should the President deem it appropriate.
He said: “The work to be reviewed by the committee is very simple, to interact with property owners that are going to be affected and in the presence of the committee, property owners and ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid and if possible visit the site.
“We are using the Federal rate in our enumeration which is higher than the Lagos rate. I know very well that there is nobody who has been enumerated that is ever satisfied with how much is to be paid but we are bound by law, so we are using the Federal rate.
“The moment the property owner signs the forms we gave them to fill and indicates the bank account, within 72 hours we authorize payment.
“The contractor is going to pay directly to all those affected. This, we are committed to doing, this verification exercise starts in Lagos on Wednesday (next week).
The Minister, however, advised the Committee not to go beyond its Terms of Reference reviewing the proposal made by ESIA Consultants for compensation and working with all stakeholders to have this achieved.
The committee is headed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha, while the Lagos State government, Landlord Association, traditional rulers and property owners on the axis affected by the project as well as the ESIA Consultants are represented on the committee.
