*Land owners claim non-payment of compensation
09 June 2013, Kaduna – Land owners in Kaduna on Saturday protested over the non payment of compensation for the land acquired by the Federal Government to build the 215 Megawatt Kudendan Power Plant.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the protesters confronted the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinelu Nebo, who was inspecting the plant, asking that work at the project be stopped until they were compensated.
The leader of the group, Mr Francis Nwobodo told the minister that since the take over of the land by government in 2009, non of them had received money or alternative plots as compensation.
According to him, the then governor of the state and now Vice-President, Namadi Sambo had promised the affected residents of alternative land before work on the the project would start.
“He promised to give us another land and based on that, we willingly gave away our land.
“Four years after, we have not heard anything. The late governor Patrick Yakowa came here and promised that they will do something. Some of us have died and we are yet to be given another land.
“We are fortunate today that the minister and his officials are here and we wish to know the way forward,” he added.
Responding, Nebo commended the land owners for the peaceful protest and promised to link up with Gov. Mukhtar Yero on the matter.
“I want to assure you that I will talk with him,” he said, adding that the delay might have been due to communication break down.
The minister said the issue would be resolved soon and appreciated the support given to contractors handling the project.
He said that the plant, when completed, would enhance power supply to the state and boost its economy.
*NAN
