From Lateef Taiwo
Minister of Works,Engr.David Umahi has assured that the construction of Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway being handled by Federal Government would mark a major milestone in the Renewed Hope roadmap towards economic diversification.
He gave the assurance during the flag-off of the demolition of properties affected by the right way on section 1 of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
He said, the Federal Government is passionate about the plight of the people and would, in the exercise of the right of way, put a human face in the demotion of properties that were required to give way for the construction of the coastal highway.
Nothing that the Federal Government was considering the most economically viable way to pass the coastal road without much damages.
He further reassured that there would be no delay in the payment of compensation to the property owners entitled to compensation but solicited their cooperation to the timeline of the demolition exercise.
This was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by Mr Uchenna Orji, special Adviser (Media) to the minister of Works.
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.
“While flagging -off the demolition exercise, he 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 Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“In 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, 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.
He 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.
“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.
Speaking during the event, one of the affected property owners, Mr. Balaji Ariyo, said the demolition would no doubt affect his business but he had no option than to make sacrifice for the greater good of millions of Nigerians 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 the critical infrastructure to see it as a sacrifice for the good of all Nigerians.
He said,” 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.
” He 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.
The demolition exercise continues as the Committee of the Federal Ministry of Works on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section 1 Compensation, headed by the Federal Controller of Works Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Olukorede Iyabo Kesha, works round the clock to ensure that payment of compensation to the affected property owners begins in earnest in a matter of days.
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