Property owners along Lagos-Calabar Highway reject Federal Government’s compensation, deeming it inadequate for actual property values in the area.
The Federal Government’s compensation offer to property owners along the Lagos-Calabar Highway has sparked widespread discontent, with affected residents labelling it insufficient.
Many claim that the amounts offered for their properties, some valued in the hundreds of millions, fall drastically short of actual worth, and are now pressing for reconsideration.
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Calling the compensation a “meagre sum” compared to his property’s estimated value. “My property was valued at over N400 million, but I was offered only N3.3 million,”
he said. Mewu disclosed that he acquired the land at a high cost and developed it with four bungalows, only to receive a payout far below what he deems fair.
In a similar case, Paul Osemele, another property owner, expressed dismay at the offer made to him, stating it didn’t match his investment.
“I was offered N42 million, but my property was valued close to a billion.
This is not just my issue; many others have faced similar compensation challenges,” Osemele remarked, adding that his property included a multi-unit residential complex generating significant rental income before it was demolished.
Sola Enitan, head of a coalition representing affected property owners, criticised the government’s compensation approach, highlighting what he considers a gross underestimation.
“The government plans to spend N15 trillion on the road project, but the compensation budget is a fraction of that,” Enitan stated, referencing global compensation standards that he argues are not being met.
A property owner, who requested anonymity, recounted how his property, assessed at over N630 million, was valued at only N18 million by the Federal Ministry of Works.
He explained that although he initially sought to resolve the matter through legal representation, he’s also hoping for a fair outcome from the National Assembly’s hearing on the issue.
Several business owners also reported receiving compensation well below their investments. Olanrewaju Ojo, founder of Leisure Games, stated his dismay at receiving N1.3 million—an amount he typically earns in a week.
Similarly, another business owner at Good Beach described receiving a sixth of the value he submitted for compensation.
Amidst these reports, Minister of Works David Umahi announced that compensation payments for Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar highway have been increased from N8 billion to N18 billion, with plans to complete the payments within 10 days.
Umahi directed local officials to expedite the disbursement process, ensuring that affected property owners can quickly access funds for relocation.
Umahi defended the compensation process, asserting that legal consultations were undertaken and that 50 per cent of payments have already been disbursed.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to “prioritising the interests of affected individuals,” adding that the remaining payments would be distributed within days.
With escalating tension among property owners, the ongoing dispute highlights the need for transparent and fair compensation practices.
Many affected residents remain hopeful that the National Assembly’s involvement will lead to a more equitable solution, allowing them to move forward as the Lagos-Calabar highway project progresses.
