Niger State Governor, Muhammad Umar Bago has approved the establishment of a Claim Verification and Payment Committee to compensate individuals affected by the reconstruction of the Minna-Bida-Road.
The Governor in a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman said the reconstruction of the Minna – Bida road is being co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the State Government.
He revealed that members of the committee were drawn from the state government, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the committee has been granted six weeks timeline, from Tuesday, the 25th of July 2023, to complete its assignment with utmost diligence.
He stated that “the committee’s primary mandate is to identify each claimant and gather crucial information, including the land coordinates of the affected property and each claimant’s Bank Verification Number (BVN)”
“This additional data will enhance process integrity and transparency, thereby preventing potential issues of claims and counterclaims by the claimants, which could cumulate to any setback for the start-up or progress of the project”.
The SSG explained that the State Government has already set aside funds to compensate all affected persons, adding that payments will be made simultaneously with the verification process, paving the way for the commencement of civil works and groundbreaking in November 2023, in accordance with the current project work plan.
The statement also noted that the committee would facilitate direct real-time online payments to the claimants, eliminating the need for contact with government officials.
Usman emphasized the importance of claimants’ presence at their respective property locations during the verification exercise while imploring the affected parties to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
He further charged members of the committee to uphold fairness and equity throughout the exercise, emphasizing the immediate payment of verified claimants after the verification process.
The SSG then stressed that the timelines for verifying each location would be communicated through the Village Heads and the claimant’s Attorneys.