President Bola Tinubu’s government has disbursed ₦1 billion as compensation to residents of Cross River State whose properties were impacted by the ongoing construction of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Yinka Onafuye, disclosed this on Sunday, December 7, during an inspection of the Calabar-Itu Road and Sections 3A and 3B of the highway by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Onafuye stated that the government has already commenced payment for verified claims.
“Payment of compensation is ongoing. Farmlands and buildings affected by the project have been valued, and beneficiaries have started receiving payments through the banks,” he said.
He added that between 700 and 1,000 residents across 12 communities in Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas have already received compensation.
“The Federal Government has paid compensation amounting to ₦1bn to affected persons,” the controller added.
During the inspection, Umahi highlighted several safety and support features that will accompany the highway, saying it was designed with modern travel needs in mind.
According to him, the project includes relief stations at strategic points, solar-powered street lighting, CCTV surveillance cameras for security and emergency response infrastructure.
“The highway will include essential facilities at strategic points to improve travel safety and support security agencies,” the minister said.
Umahi, who spoke in Awi, Akamkpa LGA, also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing vision for the project.
He explained that Tinubu had nurtured the idea “for over 27 years,” dating back to his tenure as Lagos State Governor.
The Managing Director of HITECH Africa Construction Company, Dany Aboud, assured that the contractor would deploy more machines, manpower, and technical resources to meet the 36-month contract deadline.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada, described the project as massive, saying the cost and scale were justified by the difficult terrain and extensive earthworks required.
Also speaking, a member of the House of Representatives, Dr Alex Egbona, representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, said many residents were impressed by the pace and quality of work.
He added that the highway would bring economic transformation to Cross River and beyond.
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