Zungeru Dam Communities Raise Concerns Over Discrepancies In Compensation Payment

Some communities affected by the Zungeru Hydro Electric Dam project have raised fresh concerns over delays in the payment of compensation caused by an increase in the number of communities to be compensated.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the initial list of 133 communities was submitted after a high court judgement in Minna that ordered the payment of compensation but was reportedly increased to 300, raising concerns of discrepancies by the Federal Ministry of Power.

The communities in Kalgara Emirates that were affected by the construction of the dam have questioned the discrepancies causing the delay in the payments of their compensation despite  a high court judgement that has ordered payment of N1.1 trillion in compensation.

LEADERSHIP reported that a  Niger State High Court  on March 14, 2024, ordered  that the federal government should pay over N1.1 trillion as compensation and damages for the economic degradation and destruction caused by the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Dam to the affected communities.

The youth leader of Kagara Emirate, Wazirin Samboro, Armaya’u Mu’azu, however said the position of the state’s committee on the payment of compensation called for concerns.

Armaya’u Mu’azu  lamented that  they have pursued the case  since 2020, when flooding caused by the dam destroyed properties and claimed lives, saying that  the  lawsuit in  which they got judgement was instituted in April 2023,  yet the communities have not received meaningful intervention even after the judgement last year.

On the Ministry of Power’s position, he said, “Now, the position threatens to undermine the progress we have made. Nobody has  visited the affected areas or provided any assistance to the victims.”

The youth leader therefore called on the state committee on the payment of compensation to do the needful and address the concerns of the communities in Kalgara Emirates synergizing with Ministry of Power properly.

In his response, the secretary of the Committee, Dr Yakubu Paiko stated that they are doing everything possible to ensure all the affected communities benefited adequately from the compensation while working assiduously  to promote the progress and well-being of the communities.

He said, “We will do all we can to ensure the affected communities receive the compensation needed to alleviate their sufferings.”