Construction work has intensified on the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project despite the strained relations between the Federal Government and the military junta in Niger after a lull.
The Nigerien government had accused the Bola Tinubu administration of plotting to destabilise the francophone country.
The project, partly financed by the Africa Development Bank, will run through 122 communities in 25 Local Government Areas across three states in Nigeria, and 11 communities in three communes in Niger Republic.
Approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2020, the 283.75 km standard gauge railway line will connect Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria with Maradi in Niger Republic.
A settlement audit report prepared by the project consultant, Windforce Safeguards Limited, said the victims include farmers whose farmlands are on the rail line’s right of way and several residents who had been forced to leave their ancestral homes.
The rail project, which would be completed in 2026, was expected to displace 12,695 homes and 2,064 assets on the railway corridor, according to a study commissioned by Africa Finance Corporation.
Out of the N20.325 billion earmarked for asset valuation, N12.307bn had been paid to 16,032 of the 19,284 enumerated persons.
However, about 5, 531 persons are dissatisfied with the compensation paid to them.
Also, residents of Dalli, Yammawar Wanzamai, Tsadoji, Fitare, Wailare, Firji, Danheji, Yamel, muduru, Durbi, Guru and Gamoji communities within the rail corridor in Kano State complained about the meagre compensation they were paid for their assets.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Babangida Idris, who hails from Garo in Mashi local Government area of Katsina state, said he and seven other farmers have yet to be paid despite the promises made by officials.
“I and seven other affected persons were invited to the palace of our district head where the officials promised to ensure that we get our compensation within the shortest time possible. This is the third month since we had the meeting but not a kobo has been given to the eight of us,” Idris lamented.
He appealed to the authorities to expedite action on the payment to enable them to purchase another farm or use the money for other businesses.
“It’s unfortunate that we are denied the opportunity of cultivating our farms while the compensation is not forthcoming,” he said.
Another farmer, Alhaji Nuhu Idi from Dokawa village also in Mashi LGA, expressed dissatisfaction what his compensation, saying he was short-changed.
“I am not satisfied with what I was paid. Two of us were paid N500,000 which we shared N250,000 each,’’ he disclosed.
According to him, about N60, 000 was deducted as bank charges from the N500,000 they were paid.
“We collected the money because we had no choice. If we had rejected it, we would have lost it entirely because we don’t know if we will get additional compensation,” he said.
According to him, a similar fate befell other farmers in the area as the compensation was grossly inadequate, citing the devaluation of the naira and the economic situation in the country.
He accused the contractors in charge of the compensation of cheating the farmers, noting that no fewer than 50 persons were under-paid.
Mohammad Danladi of Yanzaki village in Jigawa State said he was compensated for his farmland, but added that the contractor has yet to pay for the additional farmlands acquired for construction of an overhead bridge.
