The Federal Government has commenced payment of compensation to about 1,000 landlords and farmers in Cross River State whose properties and farmlands were affected by the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The compensation amounts were determined through valuations conducted by certified professionals.

Confirming the development in Calabar on Friday, the Federal Comptroller of Works in Cross River State and Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Yinka Onofuye, said the exercise is progressing smoothly and has already been completed in Awi and Njagachang communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, between 700 and 1,000 affected persons have been verified based on their claims and property assessments.

He added that payment processing is ongoing for ten communities in the Odukpani Local Government Area, including Ikot Okon Akiba, Oduyana, Atan, Ekemkpo, Mkpara Otop, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Oboroko, Esuk Ekong, Nkitta, Ekong Atan Oku, and others.

Engr. Onofuye explained that delays being experienced in some areas are largely due to beneficiaries not having bank accounts or valid identification documents. He noted that the Ministry has now stopped the old practice that allowed valuers to collect payments on behalf of claimants.

“Some beneficiaries do not have account numbers or proper identification. We cannot pay through proxies. Every claimant must own a personal bank account, so we brought banks such as Zenith Bank, Wema Bank, and UBA to register them on site,” he said.

He further revealed that headquarters directed the Ministry to stop all third-party payments, prompting the withdrawal of previously issued cheques and fresh capturing of each claimant. The latest batch forwarded to the contractor for payment is valued at nearly ₦1 billion, he said, adding that due diligence on large payments often slows down the process.

Engr. Onofuye also reported that the project has reached about 15% completion, with nearly one kilometre of Concrete Road Pavement (CRCP) already laid.

He stressed that the project is scheduled to run for three to four years and cannot be rushed, although construction continues despite weather-related setbacks. Contractors, he said, will only take a short break during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Traditional leaders in the affected areas have praised the compensation process, describing it as transparent and unprecedented. Akom Asuquo Effiong of Nkitta community in Odukpani LGA and Bassey Okon Edet, Secretary of the Akamkpa Traditional Rulers Council—who represented the Paramount Ruler—said beneficiaries were satisfied with the valuations.

“This is the first time compensation is being handled in such a transparent manner, with substantial amounts going directly to the people. The approach is commendable, and claimants are happy that their properties were fairly valued,” Effiong said.

He described the exercise as peaceful and successful, noting that the community is committed to safeguarding construction workers and equipment.

Community leaders also expressed optimism that the project will boost economic activities, increase land value, create jobs, and improve connectivity across the region.

This section of the highway, referred to as Section 3A, spans the Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas in Cross River State.