Plateau Community Seeks Compensation For Land

The district head of Miango in Bassa LGA of Plateau State,  Chief Daniel Chega, has appealed to President Bola  Tinubu to approve the release of compensation funds for a land acquired for the establishment of Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, home to the 3 Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army.

Chief Chega made the appeal while addressing youths, widows, orphans and other stakeholders affected by the acquisition on Friday, lamenting decades of delay and lack of adequate response by the federal government since the land was acquired in 1972.

According to the traditional ruler, the prolonged delay in compensation payment has continued to inflict hardship on affected families who lost farmlands and sources of livelihood following the acquisition.

He disclosed that a joint assessment of affected properties and farmlands had earlier been conducted by officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Plateau State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, alongside consultants, and that the report had already been submitted to the Ministry of Defence.

Chega said despite repeated follow-up visits and reminders to relevant government agencies, including the Ministries of Defence and Works and Housing, no payment had been made and no clear timeline communicated.

“My people have demonstrated patience, understanding and cooperation over the years, but the prolonged delay has created severe economic hardship and is beginning to threaten peace and stability within the affected communities,” he said.