Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has defended the acquisition of 1,000 hectares of land in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area, for the proposed solar factory and power station, insisting that the project is in the overall public interest and will proceed despite opposition from some members of the community.
Speaking during a meeting with residents of Dikko, Governor Bago said his administration had engaged the community on several occasions before taking the decision and stressed that the government had no intention of oppressing anyone.
“I did not come here to oppress anybody. We have held several meetings with the people of Dikko because we want to establish a solar factory and power station here. I want you to understand that nobody can stop this project because it is meant for the development of our people,” the governor said.
He explained that after the enumeration of affected landowners, anyone whose land is acquired would receive land of equal size as replacement in addition to monetary compensation.
“If you have one hectare of land, we will give you one hectare elsewhere and also pay you compensation. There is no court in this world, and even before God, no one can say we have failed to do justice to them,” he stated.
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Governor Bago urged residents to set aside what he described as sentimental attachment to the land, arguing that the development would transform Dikko economically and increase the value of property in the area.
Drawing a comparison with the development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he noted that communities had made sacrifices for public projects, adding that Dikko could become a major urban centre if the planned investment is allowed to proceed.
“If we develop Dikko, people will leave Abuja and come to live here because there will be opportunities. Even the value of land in Dikko will appreciate because there will be economic activities,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the community, Garba Tagwai assured the governor of the community’s willingness to support initiatives aimed at promoting development and ensuring the success of the project.
However, the Chairman of the Dikko Farmers Association, who spoke in Hausa, appealed to the government to consider the plight of local farmers. He said the affected farmlands represent the community’s primary means of livelihood, especially as many youths are unemployed.
“Our youths have no jobs, and these farmlands are the only means of survival left for us,” he said, urging the government to adequately protect the interests of those whose livelihoods would be affected by the acquisition.
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