Nigeria: Houses destroyed over highway setback confusion

Residents of Atan-Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria, are counting losses after more than 300 houses were demolished due to conflicting setback markings for the Badagry-Sokoto Superhighway. Families dismantled their homes, removing valuable materials like roofing sheets and windows, after officials marked their properties. However, they later discovered that some dismantled buildings were no longer within the construction corridor, while other untouched structures were now affected.

Community leaders expressed frustration, stating they supported the highway project but were pained by the conflicting information from government officials. They claim to have lost ancestral graves, inheritances, and businesses worth billions of Naira. The situation has left rows of half-demolished buildings visible along the proposed highway, with materials piled up awaiting compensation that has not yet arrived.

The Federal Ministry of Works has rejected allegations of altering the highway alignment, asserting it has remained unchanged. The ministry indicated that compensation for affected property owners could begin by the end of the month. Meanwhile, the Ogun State government stated that compensation falls under the purview of the Federal Government, as the road is a federal project.

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We supported the project from the beginning. Nobody here said government should not build the road. What pains us is that many people destroyed their own houses because they believed what government officials told them. Today, some of those buildings are no longer even within the area they say they need.