The Benue State Government has spent approximately N7.1 billion on compensation for properties and other interests affected by federal road projects across the state. This disclosure was made by the Director of Civil Engineering in the state Ministry of Works, Engr. Tivfa Wombo, during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Makurdi. The inspection was led by the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Aii Yenge, and included a briefing for the newly appointed commissioner and journalists.
According to Engr. Wombo, N5 billion was paid as compensation for properties within the right-of-way of the Makurdi-Enugu road dualisation project. This project is a Federal Government initiative currently being executed from the Wurukum axis towards the Benue-Nugu boundary. The compensation was approved by Governor Hyacinth Alia to ensure that the required corridor was made available to the Federal Government and contractors working on the project.
The compensation payments also included N1.3 billion for affected interests around Wurukum, facilitating construction activities in the area. Affected parties included military and immigration facilities, shops around the rice market, banks, Shafa filling station, and other filling stations located within the road’s right-of-way. Additionally, N800 million was released in compensation for properties affected by road construction activities in Buruku.
The River Buruku bridge project resulted in some structures being demolished to pave the way for construction, with the owners having complied with the government’s compensation process. Engr. Wombo stated that these payments formed part of the Alia administration’s interventions through the Ministry of Works to support the implementation of federal road projects in the state.
Engr. Wombo clarified that the Wurukum flyover was a separate project from the Wurukum-Air Force Base-Tyomu road. He explained that Governor Alia lobbied the Federal Government for the flyover, which was eventually approved and provided by the Federal Government. The flyover was presented as a Federal Government contribution to Benue during its flag-off by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
The Ministry of Works has fulfilled its responsibilities regarding the projects discussed, with the interventions aimed at removing obstacles and ensuring the smooth execution of federal road projects across Benue. The director emphasized that the state government's efforts were geared towards supporting the implementation of these projects.
The Benue State Government's compensation payments demonstrate its commitment to supporting federal road projects in the state. With a total of N7.1 billion spent on compensation, the government has ensured that affected property owners are fairly compensated, enabling the smooth execution of these critical infrastructure projects.
Key points
- The Benue State Government spent N7.1 billion on compensation for properties affected by federal road projects.
- N5 billion was paid for properties within the right-of-way of the Makurdi-Enugu road dualisation project.
- The compensation payments were part of the state government's interventions to support the implementation of federal road projects.
