By Ibrahim Muhammad The community and traders in Dawanau, Dawaki Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have expressed their...
By Ibrahim Muhammad
The community and traders in Dawanau, Dawaki Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the compensation they received for their land, which was confiscated for the construction of a modern railway line connecting Kano to Maradi. The protesters held a peaceful demonstration, calling on stakeholders to review the compensation process and ensure fairness.
According to the protesters, they were paid a meager N6,000,000, a far cry from the N100,000,000 they were supposed to receive. The protest, which took place on Thursday morning, was attended by traders and residents whose shops and houses were demolished to make way for the railway line.
The protesters chanted slogans, including "We want justice," and held placards that read, "We want justice for the compensation of our houses, shops, and farms taken for the construction of the railway line." One of the protest leaders, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, spoke to journalists, emphasizing that they were not opposed to the railway project but were seeking fair compensation for their losses.
Muhammad explained that many people, especially industrialists, had their businesses destroyed, leaving them with significant financial losses.
He noted that some of these industrialists had employed between 50 to 100 workers, who were now facing uncertain futures. The compensation paid to these individuals was woefully inadequate, ranging from N5 to N6 million.
The protesters are calling on the Federal Government, the Kano State Government, and other stakeholders to intervene and ensure that they receive fair compensation for their losses. They are seeking justice and transparency in the compensation process.
The railway project has undergone significant changes, with the original plan now modified to include a flyover and underground passage at the Dawanau junction. This new design will require the acquisition of additional public lands, which may further displace residents and traders.
The community is urging the authorities to take their concerns seriously and work towards finding a fair and just solution to the compensation issue. They believe that it is essential to balance the need for development with the rights and interests of affected communities.
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