By News Agency of Nigeria
The Chairman, Akwanga Local Government Council of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Safiyanu Andaha, has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure adequate compensation for residents to be affected by the dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road construction.
Andaha made the call on Saturday in Akwanga while speaking during Scoping Workshop for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the dualisation of the road project in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The council boss noted that the dualisation of the road would boost transportation, socioeconomic life and improve on the standard of living of Nigerians.
“I want to commend the Federal Government for this wonderful initiative for the dualisation of the road as it will change the lives of Nigerians positively.
“But I want to appeal for adequate compensation of residents whom their structures and properties will be affected as a result of the dualisation of the road.
“This will not only promote peace but will also improve on the standard of living of those whose structures and properties will be affected,” he said.
Andaha pledged his eople’s cooperation with government towards the successful implementation of the project.
“We want to assure that we will give our full support to ensure the success of the dualisation project.
“As this project, if started and completed, will boost the socio- economic activities of our people, improve on the standard of living of our people and for the overall development of the country,” he said.

The chairman also appealed to the federal government for the timely completion of the ongoing construction of Akwanga/Andaha road collapsed bridge.
“This will also go a long way in improving on the standard of living of our people and those plying the road.
“About three months now the construction of the collapsed bridged is yet to be completed which is affecting our people and other users negatively.
“I want to appeal to the contractor handling the work to hasten the construction of the collapsed bridged in the interest of development,” he added.
Besides, Andaha called on the people of the area and Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other leaders to succeed.
“This is to enable us enjoy more dividends of democracy and for the overall development of the area and the country at large,” he said.
The council boss further assured of his continous readiness to initiate good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the area.
On their parts, Rev. Paul Makama and Mr Nasidi Shuaibu, the CAN Chairman and JNI Secretary of Akwanga LGA, respectively, pledged their support for the project to succeed.
They also called for adequate compensation of those that their structures ad properties will be affected.
Mr Adamu Bulama, the Chief Technical Environmental Officer, Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, assured of their readiness to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure the success of the project.
He also called for all hands to be on deck to ensure the success of the project.
Earlier, Prof. Mamman Alhassan, the Lead Consultant of Waltom Consulting Engineers Ltd, said that the workshop was to inform the stakeholders and solicit for their support for the success of the dualisation project.
“The purpose of this workshop is to ensure information dissemination on the project and get inputs from stakeholders toward the success of the project,” he said.
He assured that adequate compensation would be done to those that their properties would be affected.
The lead consultant therefore urged stakeholders and other people to support the execution of the project successfully.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was attended by traditional rulers and religious leaders, youth and women representatives, NESREA and FRSC, among other stakeholders. (NAN)