The federal government has reassured residents of the Okun-Ajah community, Lagos, that their properties would not be demolished for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Works minister Umahi dismissed their fears at a Thursday engagement in Lagos with representatives of communities within the alignment of the road between Eko Atlantic (Chainage Zero) and Eleko inside (Chainage 47.4km).

The meeting also discussed compensation payments and environmental issues affecting the projects.

The minister said that the construction around the axis would follow the original gazetted route by the federal government.

Mr Umahi said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have our proposal here, and we have the old alignment; to the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa, Okun-Ajah community, we are diverting completely from the new alignment, from the old alignment to a new alignment at kilometre 25.’’

The minister emphasised that the decision to avoid demolitions was not due to community pressure or conflict.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s intervention prioritised minimising the negative impact on residents.

He assured the people of the president’s firm stance, saying the government won’t change the route for section one, but residents could still voice concerns about the project’s impact on their properties within the chosen path.

Mr Umahi stressed that the government was open to addressing concerns outside section one, where adjustments might be possible.

Besides, he invited all the stakeholders to join him in receiving Mr Tinubu on May 26, when he will flag off the 700km of coastal roads.

Earlier at the meeting, Iliasu Gashingbaki, Meca group boss in Okun-Ajah, had called on the government to be sensitive to the global facility, highlighting how a submarine cable belonging to MTN that cut across 33 countries in Africa was tampered with within the course of the road construction, thus, shutting internet access to some parts of Africa a few months ago.

(NAN)