President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a warning to state governments who make impossible demands for land compensation thereby scaring the contractors away.
The President gave the warning on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu.
He said, “The idea of chasing away contractors on-site or making undue demands from them by local communities or the deliberate actions of state governments to frustrate the allocation of lands for federal projects is an antithesis of the people’s welfare.
“To compound matters, contractors kept away from the site often make further demands for payment whenever they return to the site.”
“By denying the federal government lands for projects and creating unnecessary obstacles for the execution of these projects, it may be unfair to turn around and accuse the same Federal Government of marginalizing people in terms of project allocation.
“When it comes to the welfare of the people, governments at all levels should be united by the common goal of improving the well being of the people, regardless of political affiliation.
“It is, therefore, impossible to spread Federal Government projects when petty demands or politics is allowed to override the higher interest of the people.”
Recall that in September, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola alleged that some communities in the south-east demanded N100 billion compensation over the construction of Second Niger Bridge.
Meanwhile, President Buhari had directed ministers to resolve all land issues threatening projects under their supervision. He added that if the issues remain unsolved, the project is relocated to other states.
