No fewer than 22 communities, through which the Federal Government’s Sokoto-Badagry superhighway passes, have demanded compensation for damages caused to their farmlands in Niger State.
The community members made their demands during a town hall meeting and stakeholders’ engagement ahead of the flag-off for the construction of the 123-kilometre, three-lane single carriage, 1,068-kilometre highway. Despite the damages, they pledged total support and cooperation for the successful execution of the project.
Niger State, which has a large concentration of federal roads, has seen many of these roads deteriorate over the years. While the current state government has taken over the construction of some roads, the federal government has decided to revisit others and initiate new projects.
The 125-kilometre, three-lane single-carriageway, which forms part of the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, is among these new projects.
The town hall meeting and stakeholder engagement aimed to seek the cooperation and support of the affected communities as the construction of the Niger State component is set to begin. Despite the challenges, the communities emphasized the need for adequate compensation while expressing their willingness to support the project.
The Minister of Works, Engr. (Senator) David Umahi, while responding to the demands of the 22 affected communities, assured that the issue would be thoroughly examined and addressed, with the project expected to be completed between six to seven years from the flag-off date.
Lamenting the deplorable state of roads in Niger State and across the country, Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, emphasised that the federal government would continue to revoke the contracts of non-performing construction companies. He further assured that to ensure the project’s durability and longevity, it would be constructed with concrete pavements.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, in his remarks, revealed plans to establish a cement manufacturing company in the state, citing the abundant mineral resources. He also called on the Minister of Works to revoke the contract with the Salini construction company due to what he described as ‘poor execution of projects’ in the state.
The town hall and stakeholders meeting also urged the federal government, as a matter of urgency, to look into the dilapidated federal roads to make the lives and agricultural drive of both the federal and state governments come to reality.
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