Coalition demands compensation for Lagos-Calabar highway demolition victims

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Phenomenal

A coalition of concerned individuals on Thursday renewed its call for restitution to victims whose properties were demolished during the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The group staged a peaceful march in Lagos to press home their demand for adequate compensation, stressing that many residents and business owners were displaced without fair settlement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that several civil society organisations had earlier protested, urging government to address the plight of affected persons, particularly those in the Okun-Ajah area of Lagos.

They had decried the demolitions as well as inadequate compensations, while others resorted to legal action.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Spokesman for the group, Mr Shina Loremika, beckoned on government to alleviate their plights, adding that he is hopeful that issues will be redressed.

He, said that a significant number of affected property owners, were yet to be compensated, while those already restituted, are dissatisfied with the quantum paid.

Besides, he noted that victims need not physically visit government offices to get compensation, adding that technological innovations makes it easy for property owners to easily determine the quantum of compensation.

Meanwhile, he also expressed dissatisfaction that individuals who had title documents also lost their properties.

According to him, “Our primary concern is whether government can take possession of private property without due process and adequate compensation,” he said

He, therefore, urged the authorities to make restitutions duly available for affected victims.

In the same vein, a legal practitioner, Mr Tahir  Ahmad, who was also affected by the demolition, said he had yet to receive any compensation.

He, also urged government to do the needful.

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