Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello of Niger State has assured Zungeru community that his administration would ensure they were adequately compensated for their farm lands forfeited for hydro electricity generating station.
Governor Bello, while inaugurating a 24-man committee on the payment of compensation at Government House, Wednesday in Minna, assured that he would facilitate the payment.
His words: “We will ensure that the communities that are forfeiting their farmland are individuals are compensated and/or re-settled before complete construction of Zungeru hydro-electricity dam.” Bello argued that the federal government project is in line with the change agenda.
According to Bello, “This administration would ensure that the communities affected by the sitting of the dam are adequately compensated. The government is also liaising with the federal government, not only to boost Nigeria’s power sector but to improve on the living conditions of Nigerians.
“Government will look into the challenges faced by the communities hosting the dam because there has been lots of disquiet among these communities on the hydro-electricity dams located in their area and that is why we want them to be adequately compensated and relocated or re-settle them being the reason for the establishment of this committee”.
Bello expressed gratitude to President Buhari for the confidence reposed on him in mediating between the federal government and the dams’ host communities, coupled with the part played by the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, in fulfilling his pledge to provide funds to compensate the affected communities.
Bello charged the committee members to ensure that accountability and probity remain their watchword as their job included establishing modalities for compensation, settlement and relocation of all affected members of the communities where the need arises.
Other terms of reference of the committee include but not limited to; ensuring a house-to-house verification of beneficiaries, ensuring each member of the community is paid and all that all of them are relocated at once, the Governor hinted.
While soliciting for total commitments and fair play in doing their jobs, Bello reminded the committee on the need to remain focused and not to capitalize on the exercise to cause disaffection or ill-will among the benefiting communities.
The committee has the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Abdulmalik Cheche, as its chairman, while Malam Yakubu Bello is to serve as the committee Secretary.