𝐊𝐞𝐛𝐛𝐢 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝟕𝟓𝟎𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝟒𝐛𝐧 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

The Kebbi State Government has commenced the payment of N750m compensation to residents whose properties will be affected by the N4bn Gwandu Township Road project, marking a major step toward starting the long-demanded infrastructure work.

The multi-billion-naira road, expected to link Kele to the Bye-pass in Gwandu, has been a decade-long demand of the community and forms part of the state’s renewed drive to expand infrastructure.

Flagging off the exercise at the palace of the Sarkin Gabas of Gwandu on Thursday, Chairman of the Compensation Payment Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Maude-Gwandu, said the payout was the first decisive action towards actual construction.

He explained that N750m had been allocated for compensation while N3.2bn would fund the construction phase, bringing the total project cost to N4bn. He assured beneficiaries that construction would begin one month after the payment process is completed.

“We are issuing certified cheques. They are as good as money. I urge beneficiaries to handle them carefully because once lost, the money is lost,” he warned.

Maude-Gwandu also pledged transparency and fairness to ensure all affected persons receive their due entitlements.

Chairman of Gwandu Local Government, Alhaji Atiku Ahmad-Mandiya, said the committee thoroughly inspected and verified all affected properties before arriving at compensation figures. He applauded Governor Nasir Idris for fulfilling “a long-standing desire of the Gwandu people.”

Also speaking, a former Commissioner and Chairman of the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Alhaji Hassan Shalla-Gwandu, expressed confidence that the new road would boost economic activity across the area. He reminded recipients to guard their cheques “as carefully as cash.”

The Sarkin Gabas of Gwandu, Alhaji Zayyanu Haruna-Rashid, commended the government’s gesture, praising the governor for keeping his promises. He urged residents to reciprocate the goodwill “at the appropriate time,” noting that “when Gwandu says yes, their yes is yes.”