The residents of Okun-Ajah in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State have raised a serious alarm over the planned demolition of 2,000 homes for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. In a statement titled “Don’t Destroy Over 2,000 Families to Protect Privileged Five,” signed by the Baale of Okun-Ajah Community, Sikiru Olukesi Okanlawon, and Secretary Balogun Kamorudeen, the community has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and prevent what they describe as an illegal alteration of the highway route.
The traditional ruler, Baale (Alh) Sikiru Olukesi Okanlawon, and Secretary Balogun Kamorudeen have accused the Ministry of Works of inflicting “injustice and injury” on their community. They allege that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has diverted the highway to pass through their community to protect properties owned by influential individuals, instead of following the original route.
The controversial Lagos-Calabar highway project, a 700-kilometer road infrastructure expected to cost N15 trillion and take eight years to complete, has already seen the release of N1.06 trillion for its pilot phase, which started at Eko Atlantic City and will end at Lekki Deep Seaport. The highway is touted to be a 10-lane marvel costing N4 billion per kilometer.
However, property owners and communities along the proposed route, including Okun-Ajah, have accused the Ministry of Works of unfair practices. The Okun-Ajah community claims their homes were marked for demolition after the Minister altered the original road alignment to benefit a few powerful landowners.
In a heartfelt appeal, the community members have called on their local representatives and the Nigerian Bar Association for support. They have also urged the Inspector General of Police to prevent the misuse of police forces to enforce the demolition.
The community’s statement highlighted that they had a Certificate of Occupancy granted in 2006, which delineated the land for the proposed coastal road. The residents avoided building on this land, respecting the federal project’s right of way. The Minister’s recent alignment change, they argue, unjustly targets their homes while sparing properties belonging to influential figures.
The Okun-Ajah community is demanding answers from the Minister of Works on why their homes should be destroyed to save a few privileged properties. They have called on President Tinubu to investigate the rationale behind this decision and to reconsider the alignment to avoid the demolition of their ancestral homes and the Baale’s palace.
The community is resolute in its determination to protect their homes and has called on Nigerians to support their cause. They have also requested the National Security Adviser to ensure that the police are not used to carry out actions that would harm the residents of Okun-Ajah.
