The District Head of Miango in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Daniel Chega, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the release of compensation funds for land acquired in 1972 for the establishment of the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armoured Division.
Chega made the appeal on Friday while addressing youths, widows, orphans and other stakeholders affected by the land acquisition, lamenting what he described as over five decades of delay in compensation.
He said the prolonged non-payment had continued to inflict hardship on affected families who lost farmlands and their primary sources of livelihood following the acquisition.
According to him, a joint assessment of affected properties had earlier been carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Plateau State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, and consultants, with the report already submitted to the Ministry of Defence.
Despite repeated follow-up engagements with relevant federal agencies, including the Ministries of Defence and Works and Housing, Chega said no payment has been made and no clear timeline has been provided.
“My people have demonstrated patience, understanding and cooperation over the years, but the prolonged delay has created severe economic hardship and is beginning to threaten peace and stability within the affected communities,” he said.
The traditional ruler disclosed that he had led community representatives on a courtesy visit to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, who expressed sympathy over the situation and assured them of efforts toward addressing the matter.
He also called on the National Security Adviser, service chiefs and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, to intervene urgently to facilitate compensation payment and restore confidence among the affected communities.
While reaffirming support for government policies, Chega said many families remain displaced and without sustainable means of livelihood as a result of the acquisition, stressing that the demand for compensation remains legitimate.
He expressed optimism that the current administration would act swiftly to address the long-standing issue and provide relief to affected residents.