Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has urged the Cross River State Government to adopt a flexible method for the payment of compensation to persons affected by the Calabar – Itu road dualisation project.
Senator Umahi, who was in Cross River State, southern Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment of federal road projects especially those under reconstruction, gave the advice during a courtesy visit to Governor Bassey Otu.
The Minister expressed concern that the delay in compensating the locals would continue to hinder the progress of work along the road and suggested that the state government adopt its own method to assess the value of land encroached on by the construction and effect payment to assuage aggrieved persons and Fastrack construction.
The Minister said, “we (the Nigerian Government) will not impose the cost of compensation to be repaid on you. But, we had come up with a policy, which involved State Governments in road construction. While the federal government bears the cost of actual construction, the States are required to pay compensation to the people affected by the road projects.
“I urge you to determine your own cost in line with what is obtainable in your state to pay compensation. During my tenure as governor of Ebonyi State, we conducted our own assessment and paid the value for the portion of land the road encroached on,” he suggested.
While emphasising that the ministry was resolute in its decision to construct better and long-lasting roads for Nigerians with the introduction of concrete roads, the minister commended one of the contractors, SEMATECH, for adherence to the Ministry of Works guidelines along its assigned 28.92-kilometer stretch on the Calabar – Itu road.
He explained, “The tour of road projects across southern Nigeria has left much to be desired from the contractors working on our roads. The method of construction is unacceptable and most of the contractors do not have the relevant equipment to cater to the number of contracts across the country.
“Another problem is the adulterated bitumen used in constructing asphalted roads especially in southern Nigeria considering the level of rainfall within this region. Those roads are bound to collapse within three years. However, we urge state governments to compliment the efforts of the federal government by regular supervision,” he further suggested.
He reiterated the resolve of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to alleviate the sufferings of the people through the Renewed Hope agenda.
Resolution
In his response, the governor, Senator Otu assured that the government would revisit the issue of compensation to persons whose lands may have been encroached on as a result of the expansion and reconstruction project along the Calabar – Itu road.
Governor Otu, who noted that roads in deplorable conditions negatively affected the micro and macro economy of the nation, said Cross River State was ready to partner with the Nigerian Government to pay the compensation.
He commended the minister for insisting on concrete roads rather than asphalt in southern Nigeria due to the high cost of bitumen, which though abundant within Nigeria, was inaccessible.
According to him, “The issue, which affects us most and has delayed the project is that of compensation. The problem was that consultants from Abuja did the evaluation in Cross River and asked the state government to pay. We need you to review the issue so that we can come to an agreement. For that, we are ready to partner with your ministry.
“We are determined to resolve the issue for contractors to return to the site and continue on the project without any distraction or interference. Your suggestions are very practical and we believe we can work with that,” Otu stated.
The Minister inspected the Calabar – Itu road, which links Cross River and Akwa Ibom States and was awarded for reconstruction to SEMATECH, a Nigerian-owned firm and Julius Berger Construction Company.
Dominica Nwabufo
