6 July 2009
Sokoto — The Federal Government has paid N741 million to the 31 communities affected by the construction of the Shagari Earth Dam in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Alhaji Danlami Zango, the Managing Director of Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority (SRBDA) who disclosed this in Sokoto, yesterday, explained that the money was paid to the beneficiaries in two phases from November 2008 to date.
The Federal Government started the construction of the dam in 2007. He said that N166 million was paid to the beneficiaries in first phase, while the second payment gulped over N575 million. He added that the second leg of the payment had also commenced and would be completed soon.
Zango explained that the compensation was for structures, economic trees and government property in the affected communities. He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the money for the purpose it was meant for, saying, "This will contribute to the overall development of the state and the country in general."
Zango disclosed that the Federal Government had purchased 1,000 irrigation pumps and 1,000 tube wells at over N80 million for sale to farmers in the basin at highly subsidised prices.
The basin chief also stated that the gesture was line with the 7-Point Agenda of the Federal Government. He expressed optimism that the gesture would boost the food production capacities of the benefiting farmers.
"Food security is very crucial and that is why the Federal Government is extending such support to the farmers to enable them to produce more food for local consumption and export," he added.
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