The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a compensation verification committee saddled with the responsibility of reviewing, evaluating, and compensating landowners affected by the construction of the N15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, also directed the committee to complete all verification and begin remuneration in 10 days, ending April 28.

The move was part of efforts to hasten construction of the project set to revolutionise infrastructure in the country.

Umahi said verified claims would be settled within 72 hours by the contractor, Hitech Construction Ltd, but remained silent on the total amount approved for the exercise.

The 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project has been the subject of public scrutiny, following concerns by affected stakeholders and the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, over the cost, bidding and procurement process.

The road designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, before culminating in Cross River will gulp N4bn per Kilometer.

The minister, while inaugurating the committee at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, said the gesture was in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is transparency.

“It is from the contractor’s money where the compensation is routed.

“But where there is a title problem, it will need a presidential waiver for such to be paid. It is only those with proven titles will be paid as they are brought to us in the Ministry because they will still undergo all the verification processes.

“So anyone with a title within the 250m and is not a Federal government title, then it is incumbent that only the President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid.

“So, I will work within the confines of the law,” he added. (The PUNCH)