By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Ahead of the commencement of the construction of the 82 km Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) Assisted Minna-Bida-road and the need to carry along individuals and communities affected by the right of way, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state, has approved the establishment of a Claims Verification and Payment Committee (CVPC) to ensure adequate compensation for the people.
The reconstruction of the Minna -Bida road, a project to be co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the State Government, is aimed at bringing to an end, the sufferings of motorists plying the route.
A statement by Secretary to the Niger State State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, which was made available to journalists, said members of the committee were drawn from the state government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The committee which has six (6) weeks within which to complete it's assignment from Tuesday, the 25th of July 2023, is expected to also advice the state government on any area it deemed necessary to create mutual understanding between the government and the affected communities and individuals along the route.
The statement however revealed that the committee's primary mandate is to identify each of the claimants and as well gather all crucial information including the land coordinates of the affected property and each of the claimant's Bank Verification Number (BVN).
This additional data, according to the statement, will enhance integrity and transparency and also prevent potential issues of multiple claims and counterclaims by the claimants capable of culminating into any setback for start-up or as the project progresses.
Usman further stated that the State Government has already set aside funds to compensate all affected persons and payments will be made simultaneously with the verification process, paving the way for the commencement of civil works and ground breaking in November 2023, in accordance with the project's work plan.
The committee is also expected to facilitate direct real-time or online payments to each of the claimants to eliminate the beneficiaries coming in direct contact with government officials.
The SSG who also emphasized on the importance of each of the claimants being present at their respective property's location during the verification exercise, enjoined them on the need to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
While urging members of the committee to eschew all forms of biases and discrimination by upholding fairness and equity throughout the exercise, the SSG assured immediate payment to claimants as soon as the verification processes were completed.
To make the assignment easy, the statement further indicate that the timelines for verifying each location would be communicated through the respective village Heads and the claimant's Attorneys in the affected areas. NNL.
