Umahi acknowledged that while compensation rates will adhere to federal standards
Umahi affirmed that compensation expenses are encompassed within the agreed-upon project budget
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has launched a committee to verify property owners situated within the right-of-way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
During the inauguration in Abuja yesterday, the minister underscored the importance of this verification process in determining those eligible for compensation due to property loss during the construction phase.
Umahi clarified that while the committee’s role is to authenticate claims and identify affected properties, it will not handle the actual disbursement of compensation. Once legitimate property owners are confirmed, they will proceed to sign the necessary documents, following which payments will be facilitated by the contractor overseeing the road project.
He further outlined that properties within 250 meters of the shoreline belong to the federal government and may not receive compensation unless waived by the president.
Umahi acknowledged that while compensation rates will adhere to federal standards, they may not fully satisfy affected individuals. Compensation calculations will consider property size, economic trees, and other relevant parameters.
The minister clarified that compensation costs are included in the overall project budget, assuring that any financial bill presented to him would have undergone due approval processes.
Regarding concerns about the compensation being part of the project’s estimated cost of N15 trillion, Umahi affirmed that compensation expenses are encompassed within the agreed-upon project budget segments, reflecting approved expenditures.
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