Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Engr. Stella Okengwu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for opening a channel of communication over the company’s property affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Okengwu, who described the development as encouraging for the affected investors, urged the Federal Government to sustain the engagement and address outstanding issues, including compensation, to enable the company to proceed with the development of its remaining property.

In a statement issued on Monday on behalf of the affected diaspora investors, Okengwu said the engagement with the Presidency provided an opportunity to discuss concerns arising from the impact of the highway project on the company’s property.

“I want to publicly thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for opening a channel of communication concerning the Winhomes diaspora investment affected by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.

“Mr. President, thank you for listening,” she said.

Okengwu said the engagement should be seen as an opportunity to work towards resolving outstanding issues and providing clarity for investors who committed funds to property development in Nigeria.

She said the affected investors were seeking compensation and the opportunity to continue development on the company’s remaining property.

“Our investors are still waiting for their compensation. “Families are still waiting for certainty. “And we are waiting for the opportunity to return to our remaining property, roll up our sleeves and start building again,” she said.

According to her, the investors remained committed to contributing to Nigeria’s economy through housing development, job creation and foreign investment.

“We want to build the homes. “We want to create the jobs. “We want to bring foreign investment,” she said.

Okengwu said the outcome of the engagement could also influence how Nigerians in the diaspora view investment opportunities in the country.

“Because somewhere in America, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico or South Africa, there is another Nigerian asking:

‘Should I invest back home?’. “How this chapter ends will help answer that question,” she said.

While appreciating the President’s intervention, Okengwu said she would continue to advocate for the concerns of the affected investors to be addressed.

“So today, I choose gratitude without abandoning accountability. “I say thank you—but I will continue to respectfully advocate until compensation is paid,” she said.

She called for continued engagement between the government and affected investors, saying appreciation for government efforts and advocacy for investors could coexist in the search for a resolution.

“Because accountability and appreciation are not enemies. “They are partners in building a stronger nation,” she said.

Okengwu thanked the President, his administration and others involved in the engagement, while urging the affected investors to remain hopeful.

She also appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to continue considering investment opportunities in Nigeria, saying challenges arising from investment projects could be addressed through dialogue and engagement.

Addressing Tinubu, she said she hoped his administration would help resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the affected property.

“Take a story that began with demolition… and let your leadership help it end with restoration,” she said.

Okengwu urged the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to continue discussions with the affected investors, saying the resolution of the matter would help provide greater certainty for investors and support renewed development of the remaining property.