Protest Over Non Payment Of Compensation Hampers Construction Of Ibi Bridge Across River Benue

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 By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos
The Smooth Execution of the bridge linking Taraba State to other parts of the country through Plateau State is currently suffering a setback due to protest by the communities along the riverine areas, who are demanding for compensation before the execution of the work.
Construction of the bridge was initiated by the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, which many believe, would open up the area and ensure the exploration of abundant minerals
Leaders and spokespersons, Akoga Christopher Philemon and Suleiman Abdullahi Gungu explained that the protests become necessary in view of the fact that many of the inhabitants, lost their means of livelihood.
He said,   “the people where are the farmers or fishermen who have no other occupation as a result of the project.”
According to him,  many of the people have  either lost their farmlands, including fishponds.
    The sole Administrator of the local government area, Dr Bala S Bako expressed regrets over  the development and called on the federal government to do the needful. 
 Investigations revealed that except those having farmlands and fishing pumps, some of the structures were erected before they earmarked  the project.
 However, a traditional title holder in the local government area, Alhaji Tanimu D Sulaimam (Tafida) believes that despite the protests over payment of compensation, “people of Ibi will forever remain grateful to the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating  construction of the bridge’. 
Both Tafida and the Vice Chairman, Nazifi Ibrahim, called on the federal government to hasten the pace of work to avoid cases of boat capsize, which is now rampant in the area.

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