The 1,000 landlords and farmers whose portions of lands were affected by the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway have begun to receive financial compensations from the federal government.
These compensations are based on valuations carried out by certified professionals.
The federal comptroller of works, Cross River State and Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Yinka Onofuye confirmed this in Calabar, Friday.
He said the payment exercise is progressing well and has already been concluded in Awi and Njagachang communities in Akamkpa LGA axis.
“The exercise is going well. We have been able to capture almost between 700 to 1,000 affected persons depending on their property and claims. The valuers have done their work; our mandate is to ensure payment is made correctly,” he said.
He disclosed that payments are still being processed in OdukpaniLGA axis for ten affected communities.
These communities include Ikot Okon Akiba, Oduyana, Atan, Ekemkpo, Mkpara Otop, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Oboroko, Esuk Ekong, Nkitta, and Ekong Atan Oku, among others.
Engr. Onofuye, who is supervising the project, lamented that delays are due to the inability of many beneficiaries to present bank accounts or valid identification.
He said the Ministry also stopped the earlier practice where valuers collect payments on behalf of claimants.
“Some do not have account numbers or means of identification. We cannot pay through proxies. We insisted that every beneficiary must open a personal account. So we brought Zenith Bank, Wema Bank, UBA, and others to enrol them right on site.
“We received a directive from headquarters to stop all third-party payments. Cheques already issued to consultants were withdrawn. We now capture each claimant afresh, take their details, and send them directly to the contractor for payment,” he added.
Engr. Onofuye disclosed that the last batch submitted to the contractor amounted to nearly ₦1 billion, explaining that such large disbursements require due diligence, which sometimes slows down the process.
Onofuye revealed that the progress of the project is already 15% completed, with nearly one kilometre of the concrete road pavement (CRCP) already laid.
“The project has a duration of three to four years. You cannot complete such a project in six months. But construction is ongoing despite weather challenges. Contractors will only break briefly for Christmas and New Year,” he said.
Traditional institutions in the affected communities have expressed satisfaction with the process.
Community leader, Akom Asuquo Effiong of Nkitta, in Odukpani LGA and Bassey Okon Edet, Secretary of the Akamkpa Traditional Rulers Council, who represented the Paramount Ruler at the payment venue, said the level of transparency was unprecedented.
“This is the first time compensation is being paid in this manner and such huge amounts are being received directly by the people. The format is commendable. The claimants are happy because their properties were well valued,” he said.
His Highness Effiong described the exercise as “successful and peaceful,” emphasizing that the community is committed to securing construction equipment and personnel.
Community leaders say the project will bring major economic benefits—including increased land value, business expansion, job opportunities, and improved connectivity—making cooperation essential.
The Calabar end of the highway covers Section 3A of the project, which spans Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas.
