Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has assured residents that no property will be demolished for government projects without the payment of fair and adequate compensation.
The governor gave the assurance while distributing compensation cheques to 122 households affected by the 15-kilometre Ring Road project from Danbushiya Junction to Danhono 2 in Millennium City.
Sani said his administration was committed to balancing infrastructure development with the rights and welfare of citizens, stressing that public interest should never be used to justify injustice.
“Development cannot be meaningful if it imposes hardship without compassion or pursues progress without fairness,” he said.
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According to the governor, construction on the Ring Road project was temporarily slowed after it became evident that some homes and structures were located within the project’s right-of-way.
He said the decision was taken to allow for a thorough, transparent and equitable assessment of all affected properties and utilities before compensation was paid.
Describing the compensation exercise as an act of justice rather than charity, Sani said the payments were intended to help affected families rebuild, relocate and continue their lives with dignity.
The governor commended the affected residents for their patience and cooperation throughout the assessment process.
He disclosed that since the inception of his administration, more than ₦3 billion had been paid as compensation to citizens affected by various government projects across the state.
Sani listed beneficiaries of previous compensation exercises to include 189 households in Rigasa under the Rigasa Township Roads Project, 120 households in Mahuta on the Rabah Road Project, 282 households from Magajiya to Albarkawa in Zaria, 14 households from Audi to Kako, 86 households on the Dogon Bauchi–Kakiyeyi road, and 33 households along the Kabala Costain corridor.
He pledged that the state government would continue to ensure that compensation processes remain transparent, verifiable, equitable and timely.
The governor reiterated that his administration would continue to pursue development with justice, compassion and integrity, insisting that progress should never come at the expense of the rights and dignity of citizens.
