A group under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Rights Against Impunity yesterday stormed the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, demanding full compensation for the demolition of multi-million-dollar property owned by diaspora investors in Lagos.
The demolition was carried out to pave the way for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project led by the minister, David Umahi.
The protesters carried placards and banners with various inscriptions expressing their demands, chanting and waving them as they marched.
Speaking during the protest, Declan Ihekaire, the group’s national coordinator, raised the alarm over the ministry’s alleged failure to compensate those whose properties were demolished.
Ihekaire further emphasised that the sudden diversion of the coastal road project onto people’s properties was shocking and must be addressed through proper compensation.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure rightful and eligible property owners — hardworking Nigerians — are duly compensated for their affected properties in Lagos.
“The international investors deserve protection, not the demolition of their properties,” Ihekaire added.
He appealed to the minister of works, Mr David Umahi, to engage in dialogue with affected property owners and ensure they are adequately compensated.
“Our demands are simple. In any road construction involving the government, there must be a process of negotiation between the government and those whose properties will be affected.
“Once there is agreement and alignment, there will be fairness. But what we are seeing now is oppression against the people,” he said.
According to him, the federal government has consistently encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in the country.
“Many of those whose properties have been demolished are diaspora investors.
“How do you expect them to return and invest again after suffering and labouring abroad to build structures and acquire land?” he queried.
Also speaking, human rights activist Ogunsanwo Olumide John called on President Tinubu to rescue the coastal road project from what he described as “Umahi’s mismanagement.”
“The coastal road was our dream, but Umahi has turned it into a nightmare,” he said.
He urged the president to set up an inquiry committee to investigate the alleged injustice.
“Mr President should call for a committee of inquiry to investigate what has gone wrong. That will go a long way to prove that he is a listening leader,” he concluded.
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