Hitech Construction, yesterday, commenced its Social Impact and Livelihood Restoration Initiatives for Project-Affected Communities, PACs, along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, LCCH, covering communities from Oniru to Eleko in section 1 of the project.

In March 2024, the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project officially began, with reports stating that the project was expected to displace residents from around 750 houses.

Meanwhile, Hitech said the first phase of these initiatives would begin with vocational skills training programmes, designed to equip individuals with technical and creative skills tailored to their interests, local economic demands and emerging opportunities.

The firm added that through the training, selected persons from vulnerable groups ineligible for compensation, would gain practical knowledge to secure sustainable livelihoods both during and after the project.

Speaking on the initiative at the Eti-Osa Skills Training Centre in Lagos, the Community Relations Manager & Coordinator of the Grievance Redress Committee for Hitech Construction on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Prince David Omaghomi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to global best practices in social responsibility and stakeholder engagement.

He said: “As a responsible contractor, we recognize that large-scale infrastructure projects impact local communities. Beyond compensation handled by the Federal Government, we have taken proactive steps to ensure that vulnerable groups and those not eligible for compensation are not left behind. Our social impact initiatives, starting with vocational training, are part of our broader commitment to long-term community development.

“We also launched the grievance redress mechanism to ensure that the voice of everybody matters as it relates to the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. So far, we have also recorded progress and addressed them.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, Mr Saheed Bankole, said government was taking leverage from this initiative.

Bankole, represented by Mr Kadiri Samuel, said: “We can say that as part of their corporate social responsibility, we are benefiting greatly from them because it would impact lives. Therefore, there will be changes in our community and society at large.

“Our young people will no longer be caught in social vices. Rather, they will be productive, they will be efficient and they will make more money. As a government, this is what we support. There could be low turnout, but we do believe that more young people and the aged interested in joining would join because we will start sensitising them on the benefits of this initiative. We will get the grassroots government to pass across the information.”

A member of the Eti-Osa community, Omotuyola Adeomoba, however, described the initiative as an excellent one, adding that young men without jobs could benefit greatly from the scheme.