•Umahi
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has inaugurated a committee to verify those whose property are within the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway.
The minister during the inauguration yesterday in Abuja said the verification is important to identify those that will be compensated for their loss during construction, reports Daily Trust.
Umahi, who emphasised that it is not the committee that will make the payment, explained that its function is just to verify the authenticity of claims and the properties to be affected.
He added that once genuine owners have been identified, they will sign documents after which the contractor handling the road will make the payment.
He clarified that 250 meters after the shores belong to the federal government, thus, properties within the range won’t get compensation except with the waiver of the president.
While stating that compensations will be paid using the federal rate, he acknowledged that no amount will satisfy those that will be paid.
When asked on how much and how the compensation will be calculated, he said it will be based on the areas and volumes of the property, while economic trees will also be considered.
“We don’t pay for shanties within the right of way.”
On whether the money compensation is part of the N15 trillion the project will cost, the minister said the compensation is inside the bill agreed on by the ministry.
He, however, said “In every segment of the contract, I believe they won’t give me a bill that has not been approved.”
