*Warns residents against land encroachment
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has presented cheques to 343 property owners affected by the ongoing erosion control project spanning through several communities in the suburb of Gombe metropolis.
Gombe State Government, in collaboration with Agro- Climate Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAl), a world Bank assisted projec, had in November last year awarded over 12 billion naira contract to control a 21 kilometers gully erosion meandering through the Federal College of Education (Tech) Gombe, Railway, London Mai Dorawa, Malam Inna, Wuro Ledde, Wuro Kesa and Arawa quarters.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said: “Our administration recognizes the impact this project has on the lives and livelihood of our people, and it is our duty to ensure that those affected are adequately compensated in order to enable them relocate with ease. In this regard, a total of N389, 740, 014m is earmarked for the payment of compensation to Project Affected Persons and the general Implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan”.
He said his administration has taken note of the change in market values for land and other assets, hence adopted a compensation that is decent enough to ensure easy relocation of the affected persons, expressing the hope that the beneficiaries will make good use of this opportunity.
“Our administration has so far paid the sum of N 892,740,114 as a government counterpart contribution in order to enable the implementation of the FCE(T) Gully Erosion Project. Previously, we had ensured the successful execution of the of the GSU-Mallam Inna gully erosion project under NEWMAP, and we are committed to addressing other gully erosion sites through partnerships with ACReSAL and other stakeholders”.
According to a statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs)
Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available yesterday, the governor remarked that the event was a demonstration of his administration’s dual commitment to protect the environment and safeguard the livelihoods of those directly affected by the project.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained that the compensation is intended to mitigate the inconveniences associated with relocation and to assist those affected by the project to rebuild their lives in their new environments.
The Governor thanked the affected households and families for their resilience, understanding and cooperation, expressing his administration’s deep appreciation to the ACReSAL team, the World Bank and other stakeholders who are contributing immensely to the success of this project.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Alh. Muhammadu Sa’idu Fawu said the exercise consists of 226 beneficiaries whose residences were completely affected, 317 persons whose residences were partly affected and 165 economic trees.
In their separate goodwill messages, Hon. Barnabas Malle, Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Hon Ali Baba Manu, member representing Gombe North at the State Assembly and the district head of Nasarawo and Shettiman Gombe appreciated the magnanimity of the governor in making sure the payment is good enough to compensate for the affected properties, calling on people to continue supporting Inuwa-led administration for more dividends of democracy.
In his remarks, the Gombe State ACReSaL Coordinator, Sani Adamu Jauro appreciated the governor’s zeal in putting his people first in all his policies and projects, applauding the various reforms embarked upon which he said have greatly simplified the running of ACReSaL activities in the state.
Jauro called on benefiting communities to take ownership of the project and keenly support its proper implementation.
He also presented the governor with the 13 prizes won by Gombe ACReSaL at the Federal level to for their unmatched achievement in project management and implementation, including Social Safeguard, Catchment Plan, GIS Application among others.
