The Federal Government has pledged to fulfill its obligations by compensating communities displaced by the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project in Niger State. However, it emphasized the need for accurate identification of affected communities, following a surge in claims from over 300 communities, far exceeding the initially recognized 133.
During a meeting with the Compensation and Resettlement Committee, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, urged for cooperation and transparency. He acknowledged that while 90% of compensation payments have been disbursed—amounting to ₦22 billion—the remaining ₦2.2 billion must be verified against new claims.
Adelabu highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving these issues despite financial constraints and called on other agencies, such as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Bureau of Public Enterprise, to assist. The Niger State Deputy Governor assured the Minister of their collaboration and promised that legal disputes would be resolved amicably.
