THIRTY-EIGHT years after they lost their lands to government for the construction of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi State Government has commenced payment of over N269 million compensation to all the landowners whose land were acquired by the State government in 1981 by the then Tatari Ali led administration, as well as the one acquired by the immediate past administration of Isa Yuguda-led administration to expand the airport in 2011.
This was disclosed by the Director General, Bauchi state Geographic Information Service (BAGIES) Honorable Baba Abubakar Suleiman at the commencement of the payment to over 633 people in Bauchi saying that the present administration begins payment of over N55 milion to over 633 people whose money range from N1000 to N150,000 to ease their sufferings.
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Abubakar Suleiman also said government reach agreement with the landowners to settle their differences out of court and under the agreement of settlement Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar pledged to settle the over N269 million in five instalments.
He assured that after the payments of the first instalments, government will begin payment of the second instalment followed by other installments as agreed between the state government and the landowners explaining that some of the lands were purchased at N30 in 1981 and the state government had increased the amount to a reasonable amount that will be useful to the landowners.
He added that initially Governor Mohammed Abubakar intended to pay them their money in bulk but he was forced to divide it into five instalments due to the dwindling of resources and appeal to the landowners to continue to cooperate with the government to enable them settle all their entitlements in good time.
Counsel to the landowners, Barrister Mukhtar Abubakar said landowners filed a suit in court and the court ordered for out of court settlement between the two parties and expressed confidence that the two parties will respect the agreement reached to bring succour to the landowners or their dependents.
Mukhtar Abubakar also said that some of the land owners who have died and their money will be given to their families who inherited their wealth after their demise and they will be first identified by traditional and community leaders as the biological children of the deceased before they will be paid.
He, however, advised them to be orderly while collecting their money and thanked the state government for its effort to put a smile on the faces of the landowners after 38 years.
Many of the beneficiaries who spoke to reporters expressed gratitude to the Governor for taking bold decision to pay compensation and urged to pay the remaining money in good time to ease their sufferings for over three decades.
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