Niger Govt Constitutes Compensation Committee for Minna Bida Road Project
From Yakubu Mustapha Minna
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has set up Claim Verification and Payment Committee to the impending construction of the 82 KM ISDB Assisted Minna-Bida-Road and the need to compensate individuals affected by the right of way.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman explained that the reconstruction of the Minna – Bida road is co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the State Government.
Alhaji Usman also revealed that members of the committee were drawn from the State Government, Security Agencies, and other relevant Stakeholders who were given 6 weeks timeline, from Tuesday, the 25th of July 2023, to complete its assignment with utmost diligence.
He explained that the committee’s primary mandate is to identify each claimant and gather crucial information, including the land coordinates of the affected property and each claimant’s Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Also the additional data will enhance process integrity and transparency, thereby preventing potential issues of claims and counterclaims by the claimants, which could cumulate to any setback for the start-up or progress of the project.
The SSG hinted that the State Government has already set aside funding to compensate all affected persons. Payments will be made simultaneously with the verification process, paving the way for the commencement of civil works and groundbreaking in November 2023, in accordance with the current project work plan.
He charged members of the committee to uphold fairness and equity throughout the exercise, emphasizing the immediate payment of verified claimants after the verification process. Adding that the timelines for verifying each location would be communicated through the Village Heads and the claimant’s Attorneys.
