Property owners along the Lagos-Calabar Highway are rejecting the Federal Government’s compensation offers, deeming them unfair when compared to the actual value of their properties. In an interview with The PUNCH, Emeka Mewu, a retired banker, expressed his dissatisfaction with a compensation offer of N3.3 million for a property he believes is worth over N400 million. He highlighted that his property, which includes land and developments like bungalows, was purchased at significant financial sacrifice—having sold two other properties to acquire it. He also noted that the Lagos State Government had not restricted them from building on the land, which was not designated for the highway alignment.
Another property owner, Paul Osemele, echoed Mewu’s sentiments, sharing that he was offered N42 million for a property assessed at nearly N1 billion. Osemele lost a twin duplex and multiple apartments in the demolition process, which was financially devastating since he made substantial revenue from them annually. Sola Enitan, representing a coalition of affected property owners, criticized the government’s compensation plans, stating that the projected expenses for the highway project vastly exceed the amounts being offered for compensation. He remarked that international best practices suggest that the compensation for such projects should be much higher than what the government is willing to pay.
An anonymous property owner highlighted the inadequacies in the compensation from the Federal Ministry of Works, revealing an offer that was just 3% of the property’s assessed value. This individual described their property as substantial, with a significant structure valued over N630 million, yet the government only offered around N18 million. They are seeking legal recourse for fair compensation, though they wish to avoid court as a first option. Despite attempts to resolve these issues through appeals and hearings in the National Assembly, the compensation amounts remain far from satisfactory.
Cajetan Onu, President of Total Energies Staff Cooperative Society, shared the struggles faced by property owners in the wake of government actions, specifically regarding the inadequate evaluations for compensation in light of their considerable investments. He emphasized that they are not opposed to the highway project but are seeking fair time allowances to recover their equipment. Onu also requires more accurate compensation reflecting their actual developments. Meanwhile, Olanrewaju Ojo, founder of Leisure Games, criticized the paltry amount of N1.3 million offered as compensation, which he argued could be earned in just one week of business operations.
Another business owner located on Good Beach described their compensation as a mere fraction—one-sixth—of what they had submitted, prompting uncertainty about whether to accept or reject the offer. The feelings among property owners are mixed, with many unsure of their next steps in responding to the offers and the governmental process. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, stated that the budget for compensation concerning the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has surged from N8 billion to N18 billion. He assured that individuals on the compensation list would be fully compensated within ten days, having so far disbursed 50% of what was owed. Umahi’s directives also called for expedited processing of these payments, emphasizing that affected parties should be able to access their funds promptly for relocation.
Overall, property owners along the route of the Lagos-Calabar Highway express significant concern over compensation packages deemed grossly inadequate given the market values of their properties. With voices of discontent and ongoing negotiations, the situation points to a critical clash between development needs and local rights, particularly as many property owners grapple with decisions about how to proceed in light of their financial reverses.
