President Bola Tinubu has said the construction of the service lane of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will affect 147 structures in Lagos State, with five of them expected to be completely demolished.
The President disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held as part of activities marking the commencement of rehabilitation work on the Eko and Marine bridges, as well as repairs on a flood-damaged portion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Represented by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu said the impact on the other 142 structures would be minimal.
He assured property owners whose buildings or other structures fall within the affected areas that compensation would be provided by the Federal Government where applicable.
The President appealed for patience from those affected, assuring them that the compensation process would be handled at the appropriate time.
“It will be given to you at the right time,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu said the purpose of the stakeholders’ engagement was to ensure that residents and other interested parties understood the projects and worked with the government towards their successful implementation.
He described the Eko Bridge as one of the major bridges built in the country in the post-independence era and pointed to the Marine Bridge as an important route providing access to the Lagos seaports.
The President commended the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for his efforts towards expanding and rehabilitating Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
He also called on Lagos residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government as it executes projects intended to improve transportation and reinforce infrastructure in the state.
“For all of us to enjoy the full benefit of infrastructure, we have to shift a bit, so that it becomes an asset that will outlive all of us,” he said.
A representative of the AEC consortium handling the project provided the figure of 147 structures during the stakeholders’ engagement.
Tinubu maintained that constructive criticism remained welcome, but urged stakeholders to lend their support to infrastructure projects that are properly planned and executed in the public interest.
“It is my honour to flag off all of these projects to the benefit of mankind, to our citizens in Lagos, to the benefit of all our people across the country,” he said.
