Lagos-Calabar Highway: 100 Property Owners Prepare for Legal Battle
More than 100 property owners in the Lafiaji community, situated in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, are gearing up for legal action against the Federal Government. This follows the issuance of demolition notices for their properties to clear the way for the Lagos-Calabar Highway construction.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the affected residents detailed their grievances, accusing the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of altering the designated right of way for the highway to protect influential figures. The statement argues that the landowners acquired their properties through proper channels and adhered to the originally established right of way.
The statement highlighted that the property owners had obtained all necessary approvals from the Lagos State Government, including deeds of assignment, survey plans, and building permits. It also noted that some entities, having built illegally on the right of way, had received improper certificates and approvals through corrupt practices.
According to the statement, recent changes in the highway’s alignment have been made arbitrarily by the Minister, creating a new right of way that encroaches on the properties of the Lafiaji community. This adjustment is claimed to be motivated by political favoritism, favoring high-profile estates over less influential properties.
The Lagos-Calabar Highway project aims to enhance connectivity between Lagos and Cross River, passing through several states and is expected to cost about N4 billion per kilometer. However, the project has faced public scrutiny, particularly concerning the fairness of compensation for affected property owners.
In May, Umahi announced that 750 houses were marked for demolition, but many property owners have criticized the compensation offered as insufficient. Notable grievances include an alleged disparity between the compensation and the true value of their investments.
The Lafiaji community has taken their concerns to top officials, including President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but claimed that their appeals have been ignored. They have since discovered that the Minister’s decision to reroute the highway was made despite a previous directive from the President to adhere to the original right of way.
The Federal Government had previously announced a rerouting of the highway to protect subsea cables and reduced the project’s scope to six lanes to cut costs. Umahi also revealed that N10 billion had been allocated for compensation, with the first 47 kilometers of the highway expected to open by May next year.
Legal representative Jiti Ogunye acknowledged challenges in pursuing court action due to systemic issues but affirmed the community’s commitment to seeking justice. Residents like Bonojo Olalekan reported that over 100 property owners are affected by the new alignment, while attempts to contact relevant officials for resolution have been unsuccessful.
Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Environment has announced a 21-day public display of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, emphasizing its importance in addressing environmental and social concerns related to the project. The ESIA aims to ensure sustainable development and minimal negative impacts on both the environment and local communities.
