The Federal Government has warned communities along the Coastal Highway routes not to erect new structures with the hope of getting compensation, stressing that compensation will not be paid to people with such ulterior motives.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi gave the warning at the stakeholders meeting today in Calabar.
According to the statement from the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Works, Edet Ekpeyong, the Minister pleaded for the cooperation of the people of the Cross River State especially along the Coastal Highway routes to enable the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver legacy projects to them.
Ekpeyong quoted the Minister saying, “if you delay the project you will delay the funding, don’t go and build on the road so that you will get compensation, there will be no compensation”.
Speaking further, Senator Umahi announced plans to hold an indigenous contractors conference to encourage the patriotic ones among them because the attitude of expatriate contractors is becoming worrisome.
In her speech, Senator Florence Ita Giwa thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of Senator (Engr) David Umahi as the Minister of Works.
She appealed to the Minister to ensure the completion of the Calabar -Itu and Ugep roads.
The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu who was represented by the deputy governor, Peter Odey said that the state government will give the Federal Ministry of Works maximum cooperation to ensure the completion of the project.
In his remarks, the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita said that the coastal highway is a testimony that the government cares for the people. He called on all the stakeholders to support the Honourable Minister of Works to complete the project.