The committee would interact with the affected property owners and then in their presence, the ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid…… Engr Umahi
The federal government has constituted a 19-man commitee to review the report on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in respect of compensation concerning section 1, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
This, according to the Minister of Works, Engr David Nweze Umahi, is in keeping with the established rules on compensation and the ideals of transparency of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The 19-man committee, according to a statement signed by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Works, 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 the Federal Government as required by law.
“The commitee, expectedly would 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 effective 18th April 2024.” The statement read.
Umahi stressed that the Ministry is setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, ESIA.
He further stated that, “the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple. It is just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected, and then in their presence, 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 said.
The Works Minister promised to ensure a seamless and timely payment of compensation on the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project but warned that only those legally entitled to compensation would be shortlisted.
“The moment the property owner signs the form that we will give to them to fill and input their bank account, it is assured that within 72 hours, authorization of payment will be made, after verification is made.
“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 is not a title from Federal Government, that in itself is an encumbrance, and only Mr. President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid.”
The meeting which was held via zoom in the Honourable Minister’s Conference Hall, Mabushi-Abuja with the affected property owners and other stakeholders, was in furtherance of the resolutions earlier reached in the stakeholders engagement meeting held by the Minister of Works in Lagos on penultimate 11th April 2024. Recall, opinions were ventilated from different groups of stakeholders and decisions were reached on the need for a review of the report on the enumeration by the Consultant on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the affected areas.
“The committee members were constituted to reflect the different groups of stakeholders, including Lagos State Government, affected Local Government Areas Traditional Rulers, estate developers and residents, as well as professional bodies. The statement revealed.
The committee members are as follows:
1. Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha (FCW, Lagos State) – Chairman
2. Rep. of Director, Bridges and Design. – Engr Oladele Sola
3. Rep of Honourable Minister of Works. – Barrister Joseph Ekumankama
4. Engr Olufemi Dare. – FMW, Lagos
5. ESIA Consultant. – Dr. Eugene Itua
6. Rep 1 ESIA. – Suv. Popoola Lateef
7. Rep 2 ESIA. – Emmanuel Eneh
8. Rep. of Oba Oniru. – Mr. Yemi Stephen.
9. Rep. of Oba Elegushi. – Mrs. Peju Omotayo
10. Rep. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran land. – Hon. Jide Akintoye
11. Rep of Oba Onibeju of Ibeju – Mr Agbaje Adesegun
12. Rep. of Eti Osa Local Government. – Adeola Adetoro
13. Rep. of Ibeju Lekki Local Government. – Hon. Moruf Isah
14. Olawale Ojikutu (Min of Lands, LASG) – Secretary
15. Rep. Of LASG Surveyor General. – Moyosore Faji
16. Rep. Min of Physical Planning LASG. – Kunle Bello
17. Rep 1 Hitech. – Mr. Willie
18. Rep 2 Hitech. – Mr. Ashton
19. Rep DLS. – Mrs Igboko
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