By Sofiyyah Layole
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated that there is no court order has challenged claims that a court injunction has halted the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, stating unequivocally that the developer, Winhomes, possesses no court order compelling the Federal Government to stop work.
Speaking in an interview yesterday when he appeared on Arise News, the Minister addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway and the demolition of structures reportedly belonging to Winhomes.
He maintained that the project remains a key national priority and insisted that due process was followed in all demolition and compensation activities.
“We will not allow Winhomes to damage the Tinubu administration’s relations with diaspora investors,” he said. “The Federal Government welcomes genuine investors, but we will not tolerate anyone using falsehood to undermine national projects.”
The Minister alleged that on record, the Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes acquired about 12 hectares of land from local villagers in 2022 for ₦50 million, yet began selling plots as early as 2021 for ₦21 million per plot, later increasing the price to ₦70 million as the federal project began.
He questioned the discrepancies and legitimacy of these transactions and whether they had proper documentation and approval from appropriate bodies.
Addressing reports of court actions, Umahi explained that an earlier case involving 39 affected persons had already been settled, with compensation paid before construction began. He noted that subsequent legal actions by Winhomes had not stopped work on the project.
“There is no injunction stopping us. The right of way was duly established long before these cases were filed,” the Minister emphasized.
The Minister also defended the project’s cost structure, clarifying that variations across sections were due to different construction needs.
He reaffirmed that construction is actively ongoing along several sections of the coastal highway as well as other federal roads, stretching through multiple communities across the country.
He appealed to Nigerians, particularly diaspora investors, not to be affected by misinformation, stressing that the administration is committed to transparency and fair engagement with all stakeholders.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Works is working on a website where Nigerians can track the progress of projects visually and also report roads described as death traps to aid the work of the Ministry.
