Abuja — Nigerians in the Diaspora, under the coordination of Mrs. Stella Okengwu, have petitioned the National Assembly over the alleged failure of the Federal Ministry of Works to pay compensation for properties demolished during the construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway at Okun Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The petition, submitted on behalf of affected investors operating under Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited, alleges that about 18 hectares of land, including developed structures, were impacted by the federal highway project without compensation.
Titled “Petition Against the Federal Ministry of Works in Respect of Its Refusal to Pay Compensation to Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited…”, the document was addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and written by Maverick Forte Legal on behalf of the company.
According to the solicitors, Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited is a duly registered real estate development firm engaged in mass housing projects, with significant foreign direct investment tied to its Okun Ajah properties. They stated that the company holds valid legal interests over the affected land, supported by certificates of occupancy, land registry documentation, and a deed of assignment dated April 22, 2022, duly consented to by the Lagos State Attorney-General.
The petitioners further alleged that the highway was diverted from its originally approved alignment into their property, calling on the National Assembly to demand the original project design and alignment approved by the Federal Executive Council.
They also referenced a letter from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, dated April 16, 2024, which reportedly confirmed that the property was not within any designated right of way. Despite this, they said construction activities proceeded on the land without compensation.
The petition urged the Senate to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter and direct the Federal Ministry of Works to pay compensation based on prevailing market value.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has acknowledged receipt of the petition and advised that it be forwarded to the appropriate committee for legislative action.
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