Lagos-Calabar highway: No further compensation –Umahi
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
After the demolition of structures and compensation of the structure owners, the federal government has admonished the communities along the coastal highway routes not to erect new structures along the route as no compensation will be paid again.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi gave the warning at the stakeholders meeting, yesterday in Calabar.
The minister pleaded for the co-operation of the people of the Cross River State, especially along the coastal highway routes to enable the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deliver legacy projects to them.
“If you delay the project you will delay the funding. Don’t go and build on the road so that you will get compensation. There will be no compensation”Umahi said.
Umahi announced plans to hold indigenous contractors’ conference to encourage the patriotic ones among them because the attitude of expatriate contractors is becoming worrisome.
Senator Florence Ita Giwa thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of Engineer David Umahi as the Minister of works. She appealed to the minister to ensure the completion of Calabar -Itu and Ugep roads.
In a statement, the governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu who was represented by the deputy governor, Peter Odey said that the state government will give the Federal Ministry of Works maximum co-operation to ensure the completion of the project.
In his remarks, the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Izunazo said that the coastal highway is a testimony that the government cares for the people . He called on all the stakeholders to support the Minister of Works to complete the project .
Recall that the federal government had paid over N2.8 billion compensation to the property owners at the first instance.
The 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be constructed for N15.6 trillion ($13 billion at the exchange rate of N1,200/$1) by Hitech Construction Company Limited. Every kilometer will cost N4 billion.
