The Nigerian government would not pay compensation for new structures erected along the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Minister of Works, David Umahi has warned.
The Minister, who stressed that erecting new structures with the aim of benefiting from compensation would be disappointed, as nothing of such would be contemplated, however, solicited for the co-operation of the people along the routes to enable the government deliver legacy projects to them.
In a statement by Edet Ekpenyong on behalf of the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Umahi spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday in Calabar, where he also disclosed plans to convene a conference indigenous contractors.
“If you delay the project you will delay the funding, don’t go and build on the road so that you will get compensation, there will be no compensation, the Minister was quoted as saying”.
On the indigenous contractors conference, he said it is aimed at encouraging the patriotic contractors due to the attitude of expatriate contractors is becoming worrisome.
In her speech, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, who thanked President Tinubu for the appointment of Umahi as the Minister of works, however, appealed to the Minister to ensure the completion of Calabar -Itu and Ugep roads.
The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu who was represented by the deputy governor, Peter Odey said that the state government will give the Federal Ministry of Works maximum cooperation to ensure the completion of the project.
In his remarks, the Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu said that the coastal highway is a testimony that the government cares for the people .
He called on all the stakeholders to support the Minister for the success of the project .
