HEDA calls for transparency over Lagos coastal road land redevelopment project

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (Resource Centre) has asked the Federal Ministry of Works to disclose documents relating to the reclamation of land reportedly belonging to the Oniru family for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, citing the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

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In a Freedom of Information request addressed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, HEDA said it was seeking details of the reclamation exercise and compensation paid to affected landowners following complaints received through its whistleblower hotline.

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The request, signed by the organisation’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, said the complaints raised concerns over the transparency of the reclamation process and the handling of compensation.

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“The information received underscores the need for greater transparency, accountability, and strict compliance with due process in the implementation of the coastal highway project,” Suraju stated.

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Invoking Sections 1 and 4 of the FOI Act, HEDA requested copies of the Environmental Impact Assessment, reclamation approval documents, notices of acquisition or revocation, contracts awarded for the reclamation works, compensation assessment and valuation reports, and records identifying beneficiaries of compensation.

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The organisation also requested detailed records of the compensation exercise, including the names of beneficiaries, amounts assessed and approved, payment vouchers, bank transfer records, dates and modes of payment, as well as documents identifying the original owners of the affected land.

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In addition, HEDA demanded copies of minutes of meetings held with community representatives, agreements signed with landowners, records of statutory deductions and remittances, court orders relating to ownership or compensation, and all other documents connected with the reclamation exercise.

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“Beyond these documents, we are also requesting copies of the minutes of meetings held with community representatives, agreements signed with landowners, records of statutory deductions and remittances, court orders relating to ownership or compensation, and every other document relevant to the reclamation exercise,” Suraju said.

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He stressed that public infrastructure projects involving compulsory acquisition of private property and the expenditure of public funds must be implemented with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

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According to him, access to the requested information would help clarify issues raised by affected stakeholders, improve transparency in the implementation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, and strengthen public confidence in the management of public infrastructure.

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“HEDA believes that access to the requested information will help clarify issues raised by affected stakeholders, promote transparency in the implementation of the project, and strengthen public confidence in the management of public infrastructure,” he said.

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The organisation reminded the ministry that Section 4 of the FoI Act requires public institutions to respond to requests for information within seven days of receiving such requests.

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HEDA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and citizens’ right to access information, expressing hope that the ministry would comply with the law by releasing the requested documents within the statutory timeframe.

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