By Naseer Al-sirajdeen, Minna
The communities affected by the Zungeru Dam project in Kagara Emirate of Rafi local government area in Niger state, have expressed their frustration over delayed in payment of compensation to their people.
The Youth Leader of Kagara Emirate, Armaya’u Mu’azu who raised concerns during a press briefing held at the IBB Pen House Minna, said their communities were not earlier captured by the state committee for the compensation led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba.
The youth leader also lamented the lack of government support since 2020 when flooding caused by the dam destroyed properties and claimed lives.
“Despite efforts, including taking the case to court in April 2023, the community has yet to receive meaningful intervention”
Armaya’u Mu’azu faulted the recent comment by the Deputy Governor on the court judgment favoring the affected communities, where Niger State High Court had ruled that the Federal Government to pay over ₦1.1 trillion as compensation and damages for the economic degradation and destruction caused by the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Dam project.
In his remarks, Barrister Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN, welcomed the court’s judgment, noting that this would help the community recover from the damage.
He urged the Deputy Governor to fast-track the payment process, leveraging his role as the Chairman of the compensation committee.
However, in a swift reaction, the Secretary of the Committee, Dr Yakubu Paiko stated that they are doing everything possible to ensure all the affected communities benefited adequately from the federal government, while working assiduously to promote the progress and well-being of the communities.
Dr.Yakubu Paiko who spoke on behalf of the chairman of the committee who is the Deputy governor of Niger Comrade Yakubu Garba explained that the committee is determined to ensure that what is due to the affected Community is given to them without further delay.
He stated that the Community leaders should continue to build confidence on the committee assuring that he will not under any reasons Compromise in standing by them in the payment of their compensation by the Federal Ministry of Power.
Speaking further, Dr. Yakubu paiko the committee have so far engaged the Minister of Power Mr Adelabu Adebayo on the need to assess the damage done to the affected Community within Kagara Emirate with a view to adequately compensating them on the degradation of their farmlands.
According to Dr Paiko “we will do all we can to ensure the affected communities receive their compensation needed to alleviate their suffering.”
The court in March 2024 judgment ordered the Federal Government to pay the affected communities under Rafi local government in Kagara Emirate a total of ₦1,115,598,475,588 as compensation for environmental and economic degradation caused by the dam’s construction.
