The Kebbi State Government has begun the disbursement of N750 million as compensation to property owners affected by the construction of the N4 billion Gwandu Township Road in Gwandu Local Government Area.
The long-awaited project, which residents have clamoured for over a decade, is expected to link Kele to the Bye-pass area of Gwandu town.
The compensation marks part of the government’s broader push to accelerate infrastructure development across the state.
Speaking at the palace of the Sarkin Gabas of Gwandu during the flag-off of the payment exercise on Thursday, Chairman of the Compensation Payment Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Maude-Gwandu, described the compensation as the first major step toward actual construction.
“Many administrations have been unable to construct this road due to the huge compensation involved. N750 million has now been earmarked for compensation, while N3.2 billion will go into the construction works. This brings the total project cost to about N4 billion”, he said.
He assured beneficiaries that construction would begin one month after the compensation exercise is concluded.
“We are issuing certified cheques. They are as good as money. I urge beneficiaries to handle them carefully because if they lose them, they lose their money,” he warned.
Maude-Gwandu also pledged transparency in the process to ensure all affected persons receive their rightful entitlements.
Chairman of Gwandu Local Government, Alhaji Atiku Ahmad-Mandiya, said the committee had visited and verified all affected properties before determining compensation figures.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris for “fulfilling a long-standing desire of the Gwandu people,” noting that the road was one of the governor’s campaign promises.
“Our people have been clamouring for this road for a very long time until now that our amiable governor has fulfilled the desire,” he said.
A former Commissioner and current Chairman of the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Alhaji Hassan Shalla-Gwandu, expressed optimism that the road would boost economic activities in the area. He also advised beneficiaries to safeguard their cheques, which he described as “as good as cash.”
The Sarkin Gabas of Gwandu, Alhaji Zayyanu Haruna-Rashid, applauded the government for remembering Gwandu.
“We thank the governor for fulfilling his promises. There is no better reward for good than good. We appeal to our people to reciprocate this gesture at the appropriate time. When Gwandu says yes, their yes is yes”, he said.
