Nigerians in the diaspora who invested in WinHomes Global Estate, located in Okun Ajah, Lagos, have refused monetary compensation for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project realignment.
Instead, they are demanding a return to the original 2006 gazetted route, claiming the new alignment undermines their investments.
The estate, demolished in October by the Federal Ministry of Works to make way for the coastal road, has sparked outrage among investors. Stella Okengwu, Managing Director of WinHomes Global Services, condemned the realignment, stating that the original route protected investor rights and property integrity.
“Despite having the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s consent, Certificate of Occupancy, and coastal road clearance, the Ministry of Works is compensating for a new alignment that violates the 2006 gazette,” Okengwu said. “This undermines the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016, enacted to protect investors and property owners.”
Okengwu appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Works David Umahi to revert to the initial route, warning that the current realignment threatens foreign investment in Nigeria.
“We don’t need any compensation; we just want the Federal Government to do the right thing by reverting to the old route,” she emphasized.
Charles Mba, a Canadian-based medical doctor and investor, voiced his frustration, highlighting the years of hard work and sacrifice by diaspora Nigerians.
“When we invested, there was no coastal road in this area. This sudden change undermines the trust we placed in the government’s commitment to support diaspora investors,” he said, adding, “This decision is not only unfair but also a betrayal of our trust in the government.”
The investors accused the government of favoring encroachers over legitimate stakeholders.
“Roads are for people, not animals. This move could displace families and destroy lives. The government must act to protect legitimate investors,” Punch Online quoted one of the investors as saying.
The group has urged Tinubu and Umahi to visit the estate and see the impact of the demolition firsthand, believing that a reversal of the decision would restore confidence in Nigeria’s investment landscape.
Another investor, Shadrack Oyibo from South Africa, denounced the realignment as a breach of due process and a grave injustice.
He argued that the road, situated 750 meters away from the beach, defies the intended purpose of a coastal highway.
“A coastal road should be close to the beach, not cutting through residential areas filled with homes,” he said, pointing to visible structures in the estate.
Oyibo appealed for intervention from the President, the Minister of Works, and Governor Sanwo-Olu, urging them to prioritize fairness and adherence to legal processes.
“We invested legally and deserve to enjoy the benefits of our hard work. The government must do the right thing and ensure this road follows the proper alignment,” he concluded.
