Landlords and property owners at the Asaba end of the ongoing second Niger Bridge have written a protest letter to the federal ministry of works and housing over the expected compensation for their properties to be taken over by the bridge.
In the letter addressed to the minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, the landlords said they have been barred from accessing their properties at the line connecting the bridge.
They said the permanent secretary in the ministry earlier assured them of payment as soon as the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) approved the link road. According to them, the expected approval was made on May 19, 2018 but till date no payment has been made.
A copy of the protest letter is reproduced below:
Niger Bridge Compensation
Phase 2A.
The Hon. Min of Works and Housing
Abuja.
Re : Niger Bridge Compensation. Phase 2A.
1. We in Asaba , Ibusa and Okpanam have been barred from access to our properties at the center line of the connecting road to the second Niger Bridge.
2.We registered our protest to your office in our letter dated 7th of December 2018 received in your office on the 11th of December 2018 against the delay in receiving our compensation from the Federal government at this location.
3. We were assured by your permanent secretary that our compensation would be paid once the BPE approved the link road project. This expected approval was made on the 19th of May 2018.
Regrettably, we have patiently waited since after this approval yet we have not been paid till date.
4. We have observed at Okpanam, Ibusa and Asaba end a resumption of work at this end of 2nd Niger bridge link road.
5. As we speak, work has since resumed at phase 2A of the link road since 7th of December 2021.
6. It’s, however, unbelievable that property owners at this chain have not still been paid.
7. Many of these property owners have died but their families have to continue with their lives. We know that our president has the compassion and feel of the masses plight. We urge our president to intervene as a matter of urgency.
