The Federal Government has been urged to handle the payment of compensation to the communities in the alignment of the access road to section 2A of the second Niger bridge in a manner that will evoke satisfaction for would be beneficiaries.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, made the call on Thursday when the Federal Controller of Works in Delta State, Engr. Paul Oliseh, led the Consultant appointed for the enumeration, assessment and payment of the compensation paid him a courtesy visit.
Asagba Prof Azinge, who commended the Federal Government for the flag off of the access road to section 2A of the second Niger bridge, describing it as a thing of joy for which Asaba would remain eternally grateful in view of the socioeconomic benefits opening up that corridor would bring to the people.
His Royal Majesty said the visit would afford the community the opportunity to sensitize the people on the need to support and encourage the contractor, even as he was not envisaging anything untoward from the Asaba end, promising to give the same level of support the construction of section 1A and the issue of compensation arising from it enjoyed from his predecessor.
He stressed that the community was particularly interested in working out compensation for owners of would be affected properly and cash crops, explaining that though the road project was for the good of all, the issue of compensation should not be overlooked for obvious reasons.
The Asagba assured the team that the community would work with them to identify those to be compensated and quickly resolve any issue that might arise from the enumeration, with a view to ensuring that there were no impediments in the process.
Asagba Prof Azinge urged the Consultant to bring the expertise he demonstrated in the handling of section 1A compensation issues, which earned him the confidence of the Federal Government, to bear in the current assignment, as nothing short of a seamless exercise was expected.
While expressing the hope that compensation would be promptly and adequately paid to claimants to avoid the disruption of construction work, the highly revered traditional ruler emphasized that standards must not be compromised, just as the highest level of integrity must be maintained, in the execution of Federal road projects.
He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the emphasis of his administration on standards, which had put contractors on their toes, noting that the stance had helped to guarantee value for money for projects executed in the state in recent times.
Earlier, the Consultant, Mark Ugorji, an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, said the visit was to notify the Asagba about the enumeration, assessment and payment of compensation, which he had been appointed to carry out with respect to the section 2A access road to the second Niger bridge flagged off last month by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Mr Ugorji told the Asagba that there were no issues with the payment of compensation for the section 1A, and solicited His Majesty’s support in making the current assignment hitch-free in Asaba.
Campaign for Creation of Anioma State Not Just A Political Cause,...