Kebbi State has taken a decisive step toward resolving a long‑standing grievance for residents of Gwandu Local Government Area, initiating the payment of N750 million in compensation to property owners displaced by the N4 billion Gwandu Township Road project.
The road, a flagship infrastructure scheme aimed at improving connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the state, has been under construction for several months and is expected to become a vital artery for agricultural trade and local travel.
The disbursement, which began this week, marks the first tranche of funds earmarked for affected households. According to the state’s Ministry of Works, the compensation package is being distributed in accordance with the Land Use Act and the state’s own resettlement guidelines, which require fair market value for land and structures lost to public projects.
“We are committed to ensuring that no one is left worse off because of development,” said the state’s Commissioner for Works, Engineer Abdullahi Umar Muslim, in a statement released on Tuesday. “The N750 million will be paid directly to verified claimants, and we have set up a transparent verification committee to avoid disputes.”
The Gwandu Township Road, once completed, will span approximately 12 kilometres, linking the Gwandu township to the main Birnin Kebbi‑Gwandu highway.
Proponents argue that the improved road will cut travel times, lower transportation costs for farmers delivering produce to markets in Birnin Kebbi and beyond, and stimulate small‑scale commerce in the area. The project is also expected to create jobs during both the construction phase and the subsequent maintenance period.However, the road’s construction has not been without controversy.
Several families reported that their homes, farms and small businesses were demolished without prior notice, prompting protests and calls for adequate compensation. The state’s decision to release the first compensation payment is therefore seen as a response to those concerns and an effort to restore public confidence in the administration of Governor Nasir Idris.
Verification of claimants is being carried out by a joint task force comprising officials from the Ministry of Works, the Gwandu Local Government Council and representatives of the affected communities. Payments are being made through bank transfers to ensure accountability and traceability.
The state government has pledged that the remaining compensation, if any, will be disbursed once the verification process is completed.The Gwandu Township Road is part of a broader infrastructure push in Kebbi, which includes the dualisation of the Argungu road and the rehabilitation of several rural feeder roads.
Together, these projects aim to position Kebbi as a key transit hub in north‑western Nigeria, facilitating the movement of goods and people across state lines.As the compensation payments roll out, residents remain cautiously optimistic.
“We hope this is the beginning of a fair process,” said one displaced farmer, who asked to remain anonymous. “If the road brings development, we welcome it, but we also need to be compensated justly for what we have lost.”
