Jos — The Plateau State government yesterday denied reports that it was assessing some properties on Farin Wata Street near the Gbong Gwom Jos palace for the purpose of expanding the traditional ruler's palace.

A statement by the state Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Solomon Maren, said the affected properties where those overlooking into the palace compound which were earlier assessed in 2004-2005 by the previous administration but compensations were not paid.

"The affected properties were those houses overlooking into the palace compound. In light of the vast security challenges across the nation, such potential weaknesses portent risk to safety of citizens and important institutions (civil and traditional) which must be checked and addressed", he said.