By Sani Idris
The Kaduna State Government has commenced the payment of 30 per cent compensation to owners of parcels of land acquired for government’s development projects.
The compensation was an offer of grants (allocation letters) to the land owners, including the people of Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The exercise was carried out under the 30 per cent Compensation Land Swap Policy of the government.
Speaking to newsmen after issuing certificates to the beneficiaries on Tuesday in Kaduna, the Director-General (D-G), Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Muhammad Jalal, said the 30 per cent was a system they created for compensation.
He further said that the beneficiaries included people, whose lands or farm lands were taken over by the government for the development of the New Kaduna Expansion Project.
Jalal said that the compensation was hitherto in form of cash but government later felt it was better to pay the compensation with land.
According to him, the value of land appreciates over time, while that of cash depreciates and finishes over time.
He said that for every land the government takes, it subdivides it into plots and 30 per cent of the land would be given to the owners as compensation.
“The value of the lands given as compensation comes in multiple forms, one may get as much as ten times the value of his farm land from the 30 per cent,” he said.
Jalal identified the Eastern and Western sectors, Kafanchan and Sobawa among the communities benefitting from the compensation.
He said that there were challenges and issues, including delays in the process over the years.
“Over time, we have been under pressure by the people and the governor, who wanted a solution to the plight of the people.
“In spite of the pressure, we do not rush because we do not want to make more mistakes, which was why it took us so long.
“Today is the happiest day of my life as the D-G of KADGIS because we have created something that was not in existence and have cleared the doubts about our intentions,” he said.
Jalal thanked Gov. Uba Sani for standing by the people and insisting KADGIS delivered and carried out the compensation according to plans.
The Director of Lands, KADGIS, Umar Abubakar, said the service was very pleased to begin the compensation.
Abubakar said the service followed due process in ensuring that those to be compensated were the actual owners of the lands.
He urged those who have complaints to channel them through the service’s public complaints department.
Also, an aide to the Governor on Land Matters, Mr Muntaka Jumare, commended KADGIS for the feat in the midst of uproar and pessimism by the beneficiaries.
Jumare commended the beneficiaries for their patience and reassured them of government’s commitment to their development and lawful endeavours.
One of the beneficiaries, Abdulmumeen Nasir, the Community Leader of Sobawa, Rigachikun District, thanked the State Government for the compensation.
He said it relieved them of accusations of betrayal by their followers, who thought they conspired with the government to seize their lands.
Nasir urged KADGIS to ensure that only trusted personnel were made to handle the distribution of the compensation. (NAN)
