Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway:  FG begins payment of compensation to landowners in C’River 

… Says Calabar Section is 15% complete

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of compensation to property owners and farmers affected by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project in Cross River State.

The exercise covers Section 3A of the project, which spans Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas and between 700 to 1000 landowners have been captured for payment.

Engr. Yinka Onafuye, Federal Comptroller of Works, Cross River State and Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works said the exercise is progressing well and has already been concluded in Akamkpa.

“The exercise is going well. We have been able to capture almost 700 to 1,000 affected persons depending on their property and claims”, he said

Giving more details of the process, he said  Awi and Njagachang communities in Akamkpa have received their payments, while payments are still being processed in Odukpani.

He listed Communities in Odukpani to include Ikot Okon Akiba, Oduyana, Atan, Ekemkpo, Mkpara Otop, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Oboroko, Esuk Ekong, Nkitta, and Ekong Atan Oku, among others.

He said the ministry has abolished the practice of payment by proxy in view of the amount involved and beneficiaries are only paid through their respective bank accounts.

On the progress of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway itself, Engr. Onafuye revealed that the project is already 15% completed, with nearly one kilometre of the concrete road pavement (CRCP) already laid.

Community leaders and other stakeholders welcomed the project saying it comes with major economic benefits.