Rivers to compensate property owners affected by construction

Following the directive by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to observe transparency in the compensation of owners of property marked for demolition, the state’s Ministry of Works has created a dedicated desk at the permanent secretary’s office in Port Harcourt.

According to the commissioner in charge of the ministry, Dr. George-Kelly Alabo, the office is open to property owners affected by the construction of flyovers 11 and 12 at Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Junction, and Mgbuoba (Location Junction), respectively, as well as Azikiwe-Iloabuchi road.

Alabo, in a statement, yesterday, said the move was to eliminate any suspicion of being shortchanged by valuers, noting that since there is no uniform payment for affected property owners, it is convenient they (property owners) come to the office to reconcile and to verify the compensation due to them.

He explained: “This is in line with the directive of the governor on transparency in the compensation process.

“This will eliminate any suspicion of being shortchanged by valuers or agents because it will enable affected property owners to come and verify the compensation amount due to them, and reconcile same with the valuers handling the payments.

“There is no uniform compensation; the amount you are entitled to is strictly based on the value of your property.

“The desk has been opened to the property owners from yesterday, Tuesday, 23 August 2022 by 10:00 am. Verification will be done in an orderly manner.”

The commissioner, however, appealed to the people to resist every temptation of being used as a tool to scuttle the specified time frame for these projects.

He said: “We also want to appeal to the aforementioned persons to resist the temptation of being used by destructive elements to cause chaos and civil disobedience that may hinder the specified time frame for these projects.”