By Godwin Moses

Plateau State Ministry of Works in its bids to further strengthen the ongoing consultation with property owners and stakeholders to facilitate seemingless project take off; the Commissioner of works, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang and the compensation committee had another round of engagement with the property owners and stakeholders today at the conference room of the Ministry at the JD Gwomwalk Secretariat Jos. He stated that the aim of the parley is to educate and also reach an amicable understanding with property owners with a view to removing grey areas to pave way for adequate compensations and subsequently rolling of earth moving equipments to construction site by the contractor without unnecessary litigations.

The Commissioner said though the road in question is a Federal road but Plateau State Government is intervening to reduce the hardship commuters are going through daily due to traffic hold-up and also to reduce travel time. Hon. Pam added that the statutory right of way belongs to Federal Ministry of Works (Government) as original land owners have since been compensated but the state Government who issued C of O to such property owners is stepping in to ensure that those with relevant documents for built up property are paid compensation as well as compensation for economic trees for land owners respectively.

He categorically revealed that the project will be completed within the lifespan of Governor Lalong’s administration. On the issue of closure of road the Hon. Commissioner assures residents living close to the construction site of an access road to their homes.

The Plateau State head of civil service, Engr. Sunday C. Hyat who is a technocrat and a former Permanent Secretary in the Works Ministry stated that Cities develop over time and we must allow ours to be developed stating that the traffic study which was conducted years back informed the decision of the Government to embark on the this all important project. Hyat also harps on the right of way in respect to all Federal roads as earlier mentioned by the Federal Controller of Works Plateau State, Engr. Usman who represented the Hon. Minister for Works and Housing Babatude Fashola.

In his part the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Works, Engr. Alexander PlangNan enjoined stakeholders to cooperate with the Compensation Committee, adding that the project is for the benefit of the people of Plateau and beyond and therefore, it’s beyond the interest or sentiment of individuals. Property owners appealed to the Government to handle or treat all concerned with human face. During the parley observations and questions were raised and noted accordingly.

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British-America Flyover: Plateau Works Commissioner, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang and Compensation Committee Parleys Property Owners and Other Stakeholders