In the heart of the bustling city of Lagos, the Okun-Ajah community came together in a peaceful protest to express their concern over the implementation of the original Lagos-Calabar coastal alignment. Led by their community advocate, Bolanle Olugbani, the protesters made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the original alignment of the coastal road is not changed.
Displaying signs with evocative inscriptions such as “Mr. Umahi, keep your commitments”, “Landowners along the gasified coastal alignment must bear the consequences, do not encourage impunity”, “Illegal constructions on the “Initial alignment of the coastal road should not be encouraged”, protesters expressed their determination to preserve the integrity of the original alignment.
The Council urged the government not to deviate from the initial alignment accepted by the minister. He stressed the importance of respecting the alignment that was ratified almost 30 years ago by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government.
In arguing for respecting the original alignment, the lawyer pointed out that many people had invested considerable sums in properties along the designated alignment, only to later discover that the government was planning to change it after all these years. He stressed that those who knowingly purchased land in areas reserved for the coastal road must face the consequences.
The community also asserted its rights, having respected the initial alignment of the coastal road by avoiding any intrusion into the corridor determined for the latter. The lawyer pleaded with the government not to change the gasified alignment and asked the president to ensure that those who respected the original alignment were not penalized.
Responding, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs. Olukorede Keisha, commended the protesters for opting for peaceful protest instead of taking drastic measures. She assured that the government was listening to the concerns of the community and was committed to ensuring that the message was conveyed to the highest level.
This peaceful and determined protest by the Okun-Ajah community highlights the importance of respecting past agreements and protecting the rights of citizens who have acted in good faith. It highlights the need to guarantee justice and equity in development projects, while emphasizing the commitment of citizens to defend their collective interests.