By correspondent in Minna.
Photo credit:Daily Post.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state, north central Nigeria,has approved the establishment of Claims Verification and Payment Committee (CVPC) to ensure adequate compensation for the people affected in the reconstruction of the 82 km Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) Assisted Minna-Bida-road.
Our correspondent gathered that the birth of the committee comes ahead of the commencement of the and the need to carry along individuals and communities affected by the right of way.
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.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, and made available to journalists in Minna 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, is expected to also advise 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 SSG, however,revealed that the committee’s primary mandate was 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 him, will enhance process integrity,transparency and prevent potential 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 had set aside funds to compensate all affected persons,adding that payments would
be made simultaneously with the verification process to pave 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 emphasized the importance of each of the claimants being presented at their respective property’s location during the verification exercise, enjoined the claimants to cooperate, fully, with the committee to ensure 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.
He said the timelines for verifying each location would be communicated through the respective village Heads and the claimant’s Attorneys in the affected areas to make the assignment easy.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
