The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has assured that the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project will be constructed to join a parallel alignment with the road connecting to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery in a move to bolster economic strength and achieve the gazetted route of the project’s corridors, The Courage.
The minister hinted that more beachfronts, obstructions and structures along the federal government’s gazetted right-of-way will be demolished.
Umahi, while speaking on the sideline of the project tour around Lagos Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Lagos, mentioned that Hi-Tech Construction Company would construct a flyover along the 47km to connect to the Lekki Deep Seaport to Epe and Dangote Refinery.
The Minister noted that properties and obstructions along the gazetted right-of-way of the Lagos-Calabar highway project must be realigned to achieve the goal of the coastal highway project stretching towards Lagos and eight other states in the country.
He said the demolition had commenced after he inspected kilometres 13, 16 and 20 of the coastal road project to ensure that the economic viable route to access the coastal road is without any damage.
Umahi further noted that the federal government reclaimed the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar coastal shorelines to pave way for the realisation of the project.
He said the demolition was necessary as part of the project plan since the structures were located on the Federal Government’s right-of-way. He said a lot of structures would be affected by the demolition, adding that compensation would be provided where necessary.
He affirmed that the demolition of obstructions along the federal government’s right-of-way began with the Mami Chula lifestyle beachfront and Landmark Beach Resort after holding several meetings with stakeholders, property owners and traditional institutions in the state.
The minister said the demolition will go on despite claims of Landmark CEO, citing job loss and business deactivation while he stressed that the owner was making a lot of noise despite knowing that his structure was not affected.
The minister insisted that the coastal project will go on despite the politics being played by Landmark to sway the media that his structure has been destroyed.
The minister stressed that several structures would be affected by the demolition, adding that compensation would be provided.
Umahi said, “with the utmost fear of God, and the commitment to the Renewed Hope prudency agenda of President Bola Tinubu. It’s in a right-of-way within the coastal corridor, which is the legitimate right-of-way of the federal government.
“Before the flag-off of the Landmark’s demolition, I graciously increased the period by another seven days and yet another four days, and here we are because the project stopped because of a lack of demolition.”
The minister acknowledged that some people opposed the project but he insisted that it was necessary for economic development.
He assured those affected by the demolition that they would be adequately compensated and added that documentation would start between May 2 and 3.
Umahi also assured that he would be available throughout the week to address the confirmation or payment issues related to the demolition exercise.
