Gombe govt approves N2.4bn compensation to property owners
The Gombe state government has approved N2.4 billion compensation to property owners affected by the development projects around Bauchi motor park in Gombe metropolis.
Mr Umar Zubairu, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, stated this at a news conference after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, presided over by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday in Gombe.
Umar said the gesture would facilitate payment to property owners affected by the planned construction of the ultra modern State High Court complex and House of Assembly.
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According to him, the three buildings will be regarded as the state’s Three Arms Zone.
He said since users of the Bauchi motor park had been relocated to the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Motor Park, the government would use the space to house the new buildings.
“Following the decision of the state government to construct ultra modern secretariat for the state, High Court complex and House of Assembly which will be like a three arm zone, some property would be affected and the major ones are about seven.
“In this regard, the state government engaged estate valuers and they brought a report which was deliberated upon today and approval made for compensation.
“The total sum, open market value is N2.4 billion which is far higher than the false value of N1.6billion.
“The state government has decided to pay the compensation using the open market value, so N2.4billion will be used to compensate the affected property owners.
“This, the government has done so that the owners will have the opportunity of repossessing these kind of property to be demolished in another location and they will not suffer any financial loss,” he said.
Umar enjoined the affected property owners to appreciate the gesture, and urged the residents of the state to support government’s policies and programmes.
Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Shettima, Commissioner for Higher Education, said the Council had approved the commencement of academic activities at the Gombe State University, Dukku campus, to accommodate faculty of Environmental Sciences.
He said the facility would run four programmes including BSc Quantity Survey, BSc Architecture, BDc Estate Management and BXc Building.
He said that as part of the requirements by the National Universities Commission (NUC), 52 staff would be recruited, adding that the SEC had approved N16.9 million as their monthly salaries.
“So the annual personnel cost is approved to be N202.8million; also approved is N534.4million to be used for procurement of equipment for the campus,” he said.
