……Gives I0 Days Deadline For Completion.
Emmanuel lkpeama.
In keeping with the established rules on compensation and the ideals of transparency of the renewed hope administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the Honourable Minister for Works, Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi has constituted a committee to review the report on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in respect of compensation for section 1, Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project.
The committee which is made up of 19 members is required to interface with stakeholders and property owners that will be affected by the project with a view to recommending those who are entitled to receive compensation from Federal Government as required by law.
The Honourable Minister went further to direct that the committee should work strictly with the terms of reference, which is to verify and authenticate the list of those to be compensated and submit a report within 10 days with effective from 18th April 2024.
He said, “We are setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA,) and the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple.”
“it’s just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected, and then in the presence of the committee and the ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid, and where possible, you visit the site.
“We are using the federal rates to do our enumeration. I know very well that there is nobody that is ever enumerated that is ever satisfied with how much is to be paid, but we are bound by the law, and so we are using federal rates.”he stated
Senator Umahi while assuring that the exercise would be a seemless and timely payment of compensation on the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project, noting that only those legally entitled to compensation would be shortlisted.
He said, “The moment the property owner signs, and then we have a form that we give to them to fill, and indicate the bank account; the moment that is done, within 72 hours, we authorize payment.”
“The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected, and this we are committed to doing. This verification will start Wednesday in Lagos, and of course, we have to make it very clear that 250 meters legally belong to the Federal Government. So if you have a title within these 250 meters and it’s not a title from Federal Government, then it is encumbrance, and only Mr. President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid.”he submitted.
The committee members that were constituted to reflect the different groups of stakeholders, include Lagos State Government, affected Local Government Areas Traditional Rulers, estate developers and residents, as well as professional bodies.
The committee members are as follows,. Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha (FCW, Lagos State) – Chairman, Rep. of Director, Bridges and Design. – Engr Oladele Sola,Rep of Honourable Minister of Works. – Barrister Joseph Ekumankama,Engr Olufemi Dare. – FMW, Lagos,ESIA Consultant. – Dr. Eugene Itua, Rep 1 ESIA. – Suv. Popoola Lateef,Rep 2 ESIA. – Emmanuel Eneh, Rep. of Oba Oniru. – Mr. Yemi Stephen,Rep. of Oba Elegushi. – Mrs. Peju Omotayo,Rep. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran land. – Hon. Jide Akintoye, Rep of Oba Onibeju of Ibeju – Mr Agbaje Adesegun,Rep. of Eti Osa Local Government. – Adeola Adetoro,Rep. of Ibeju Lekki Local Government.- Hon. Moruf Isah, Olawale Ojikutu (Min of Lands, LASG)-Secretary,Rep. Of LASG Surveyor General.- Moyosore Faji,Rep. Min of Physical Planning LASG. – Kunle Bello,Rep 1 Hitech.- Mr. Willie, Rep 2 Hitech.- Mr. Ashton and Rep DLS.- Mrs Igboko
