My houses were totally demolished in Port Harcourt, Aba - Umahi

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has claimed that his houses in Port Harcourt and Aba were demolished to pave the way for construction of roads.

Umahi made the claim following the resistance he is facing from some property owners in the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

The former Ebonyi State governor said his properties have been demolished for some road projects in parts of the country.

He stated this during a meeting with those whose properties were affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project in Victoria Island area of Lagos State on Sunday.

The Minister pleaded for the cooperation of the land and property owners, adding that whatever the court says, "we will obey. But please, let nobody take laws into his or her hands."

"I plead with you if you are offended by me or the ministry, please accept our apology. The coastal highway must be on land and where there are issues like cables, we will do a flyover or refinery, we will do a flyover.

"In Port Harcourt, my property was also involved in the construction of East-West Road, totally demolished. In Aba, my property was also involved.

"Please, bear with me and know that we have nothing to benefit or hide."

Torizone reports that the project, which has caused some buildings to be demolished, has attracted a barrage of intense criticisms from many Nigerians.