By Peter Omopo
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has announced plans to commence compensation for residents affected by land acquisition for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line depot at Okokomaiko.
The agency disclosed this after holding a stakeholder engagement with occupants of properties located at the proposed depot site in Okokomaiko, a move aimed at advancing the completion of the Blue Line rail infrastructure.
The meeting, held at the palace of the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Raji Adeshina, brought together officials of the transport authority, traditional leaders and Project Affected Persons.
Also present at the meeting were senior representatives of the agency and the Managing Director of Global Impact Environmental Consulting, Dr Babatunde Osho.
During the engagement, moderated by the Head of Corporate Communication of the authority, Kolawole Ojelabi, and the Rail Project Manager, Abidemi Atobatele, officials explained the scope of the depot project and outlined procedures for accessing compensation.
Affected tenants were informed that they must present an official Project Affected Persons card issued during the earlier enumeration exercise as well as a tenancy rent payment receipt from their landlords to process their claims.
They were also asked to provide recent passport photographs and a valid means of identification.
The authority said compensation payments to affected residents will begin next week, running from Wednesday through Friday.
Addressing participants at the meeting, the Oniba of Iba Kingdom appealed to residents to cooperate fully with the Lagos State Government to ensure the successful completion of the rail project.
He also advised tenants with complaints or special requests to channel them through his palace, assuring them that such concerns would be conveyed to the management of the transport authority and the Lagos State Government.
The stakeholder meeting highlights the authority’s effort to ensure inclusive engagement with communities affected by the project while advancing the development of urban transport infrastructure in Lagos.
