Lagos-Calabar Highway Project - Housing TV Africa

Progress Steady on Lagos-Calabar Highway as 700 Property Owners Receive Compensation

Housing TV Africa News Desk — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:41:01 +0000

Progress is moving steadily along Nigeria’s ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The federal government has already started compensating those whose properties are affected.

According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at least 700 individuals have received payments for structures impacted by the first phase of construction.

He shared this update during a stakeholder meeting at Eko Hotel in Lagos. Umahi also used the opportunity to address recent controversies surrounding the project.

The minister made it clear that the government has acted transparently and fairly. He responded to claims from an international investor who alleged her $250 million investment was threatened by the road project. Umahi explained that all affected owners were identified and paid compensation legally. He said the claims being circulated are simply not true.

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The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is over 700 kilometers long. It is designed to reduce traffic on existing routes and improve movement across Nigeria. The project is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is expected to bring long-term development along the coastal region.

Umahi said the project is not just about roads. It is about safety, growth, and building smarter infrastructure for the future. He confirmed that the second phase of the project has already begun. Site clearing and dredging are underway. All construction follows the best environmental and engineering standards.

The highway will include key features like a central rail line and shoreline protection. These additions aim to make the road both modern and climate-resilient.

Umahi also acknowledged the sacrifices made by property owners along the route. He promised that the government will continue to engage with communities and developers. The goal is to protect as many properties as possible while still building an efficient and cost-effective road.

Community leaders at the meeting praised the government for its efforts. They urged officials to keep addressing issues such as drainage, dredging, and long-term road durability. Umahi assured them that the ministry is listening and working to meet those needs.

With bulldozers on site and new plans in motion, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is already making an impact. Hundreds of people have been compensated, and more will benefit from improved roads and new opportunities. This project is more than just construction. It represents what’s possible when progress is built on responsibility.

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Obasanjo Criticizes Lagos-Calabar Highway Project, Calls It Wasteful and Corrupt

Housing TV Africa News Desk — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:51:04 +0000

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as both wasteful and corrupt.

He also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for spending N21 billion on a new residence for Vice President Shettima.

Obasanjo made these remarks in his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled during his 88th birthday celebration last week.

He argued that such projects are unnecessary, misplaced priorities intentionally designed for embezzlement rather than genuine national development or public benefit.

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The 700km highway, awarded without competitive bidding to Hitech Construction Company, is estimated to cost N4.93 billion per kilometer.

Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have strongly questioned the project’s transparency, urging accountability and proper scrutiny from authorities.

Assessing Tinubu’s two years in office, Obasanjo claimed corruption remains widespread, with politicians prioritizing personal financial gains over national interests.

He described many Nigerian leaders as ill-prepared, self-centered, and entirely focused on enriching themselves instead of serving the citizens.

He also proposed a new governance model, ‘Afrodemocracy,’ which considers Africa’s political landscape rather than adopting Western liberal democracy.

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Federal Government Temporarily Suspends Compensation for Lagos-Calabar Highway Project

Housing TV Africa News Desk — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 19:57:20 +0000

The Federal Government has announced a temporary suspension of compensation payments to property owners affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, citing alterations to the project’s original plan. Sen. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this during his recent inspection of ongoing works in Lagos, including the coastal highway and other key road projects.

Umahi explained that changes in the route layout, particularly around Kilometer Seven where sections have been rerouted, such as the white sand beach area, necessitated the withholding of compensation. He emphasized that these adjustments, which have reduced the corridor to 55 kilometers with 10 train tracks, were made to enhance safety for underground cables and preserve other properties, notably redirecting construction through swampy areas.

“We have compressed the corridor and made significant alterations, including reducing the train tracks from 55 to 20,” Umahi stated. “Compensation payments will resume following a thorough review of affected properties along the highway, with new enumerators to be deployed for Section Two assessments.”

The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to minimizing disruptions caused by the project while ensuring fair compensation processes. He expressed frustration at opposition to rerouting efforts aimed at safeguarding infrastructure and local communities, dismissing critics who advocate adherence to gazetted plans that may compromise safety and property integrity.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometer project spanning nine states with extensions to northern regions, commenced construction earlier this year. The initial compensation phase totaling N10 billion has been part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the project’s impact on affected communities, underscoring the government’s approach to balancing infrastructure development with community welfare.

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