Farmers in Takalifiya community of Lapai local council in Niger State have expressed delight over the payment of compensation to farmers whose farmland was acquired by a firm, aimed at boosting the economic growth of the local government as well as the state at large.

Village Head of Takalafiya, Alhaji Usman Sarki, made the commendation during the payment of compensation, held at Lapai Emirate Council on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Alhaji Sarki observed that his people are mainly farmers, so the compensation would go a long way to help them expand into large-scale farming.

The Village Head credited the successes achieved since negotiations began to the leadership of Governor Umaru Bago and Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umaru Bago Tafida III, who ensured that the interests of the farmers were well protected throughout the process.

“We were really excited with the entire process, my people were satisfied, everybody was paid for the crops on his/her farm land accordingly. Our governor and the Emir have stood by us; we thanked them,” Usman said.

Acting Secretary of Lapai Emirate Council, Barrister Saidu Abdullahi, expressed satisfaction over the payment of compensation for the cash crops to farmers, describing the process as historic.

Barrister Saidu Abdullahi, who oversaw the process, praised the firm’s management for making it a reality and urged them to adhere to all the terms of the agreement entered into with the locals.

He also commended the people of Takalafiya, as well as the community leaders, for their cooperation and support.

Barrister Abdullahi said, “As you can see, the process of compensation went on smoothly. You can see smiles on their faces, there is serious understanding between the farmers and the company.”

Saidu added, “The farmers were fortunate; they received payment for their crops, and the company also permitted them to harvest the crops. The company’s concern is focused on a specific area, and farmers in that area received special consideration because they might lose their crops, but most still benefited and received this money again.”

Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of Elin Group Limited, Hassan Isah, revealed that the company was present in the area for mining activities, adding that the company has obtained its mining licence approved by the federal government and will soon commence full-scale mining operations in the community.

Isah’s words, “In line with the Mining Act, there were certain requirements that had to be met, and we have fulfilled all of them. The first was community development, specifying the projects we have for them. Of course, this has been addressed since August; we have rolled out all our proposed projects before everyone, and an agreement to that effect was signed accordingly at the Emirate Council in August 2025.”

Hassan further highlighted that part of corporate social responsibility the company intends to implement for the community includes: scholarships for the indigent, school renovations, fifty per cent job opportunities for the catchment area, drilling of boreholes, among others, pointing out that agreements have been signed in respect of the projects.

“For the land we are going to use has already displaced some farmers, so it is necessary to pay them compensation for the crops they have on the land. We did this today, after the evaluation and survey were completed earlier, and we waited for the report. In the report, each farm area was measured, crops were identified, and the government provided us with a template indicating how much to pay for particular crops, such as maize, soya beans, grains, and Gini corn. All these factors were taken into consideration before we made the payments compensation,” he noted.

The Chief Operating Officer disclosed that the company would allow the farmers to harvest all their crops, emphasising that out of the 33 hectares of land acquired, only 1.6 to 7 hectares will be utilised for now.

“Where we are going to start work immediately. There were essentially three crops: maize, Gini corn, and granut & soya beans. Since maize and granut have already been harvested, only the Gini corn remains. However, an evaluation was carried out for all three crops, and these crops were identified. Their payments were higher than those received by other farmers to address the immediate impact. Others have received a bonus and also have access to their crops harvest,” he said.

He also explained that 50 per cent of the employment will go to the community and advised the people to continue opening up their environment to attract more investors.

Isah had reiterated that the company is coming into the state to energise the economic activities.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of cash to each beneficiary.

The process was witnessed by a representative from the Federal Ministry of Mineral Resources, staff of the Emirate Council, and some Takalifiya community members, among others.