What we usually hear is that the government pays compensation to property owners. But like the state of excellence she is, Lagos has taken good governance to another level.
Back in December, the state government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), distributed compensation cheques to tenants and business owners impacted by the ongoing development of the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) project in Lawanson to Cele bus stop.
This new BRT corridor will have passengers move from Ojuelegba through Lawanson on the Itire road all the way to Cele bus stop on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, thereby bringing communities in the greater Surulere area into the successful BRT scheme.
According to LAMATA, the QBC package is jointly funded by Agence Française de Développement and the state government.
The compensation event underscored the state government’s commitment to balancing infrastructure development with social equity in a manner that brings everyone on board. The Consultant for Technical and Programme Management (Roads and infrastructure), Engr. Adeyemi Adeniji reiterated the importance of the project to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire population of Lagos during the exercise.
The payment of compensation demonstrates the state’s dedication to mitigating the adverse effects of the project and ensuring the development benefits and gets the buy-in of all stakeholders.
By his action, the governor has shown that he indeed has the best interest of residents at heart because it is property owners that are usually left to deal with the consequence of such compensation if any.
And most often, landlords take it for granted that it is not their duty to see to the welfare of their tenants who may just have moved into such properties. They are thus left to bear their fate in full.
By this pleasant surprise, tenants will now resettle with little or no discomfort. Even business owners impacted by the demolition of properties would easily relocate by this gesture thereby minimising the effect that the project will have on their businesses in the new year.
This is a commendable addition to the renowned empathetic leadership model that the Sanwo-Olu administration is ever known for since he became governor. And for good measure it is not exactly the first time.
During the construction of the Red Line train station at Ikeja, some staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, who were quartered beside the rail line near the airport bridge were relocated to Pen Cinema, Agege. Modern houses were built on their behalf rather than the usual monetary compensation. It showed empathy and an endearing legacy of citizens taking ownership of government projects .
Meanwhile, the QBC project being developed in partnership with France aims to improve public transportation efficiency and accessibility in the state. The corridor will be improved, bus shelters built and BRT buses introduced to offer modern transportation connectivity to a very mobile Lagos population.
The compensation is intended to alleviate the financial burden on those temporarily or permanently displaced or whose businesses have been disrupted by the construction.
The Lawanson-Cele corridor is a key component of the QBC network, designed to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and improve travel time.
