Federal Government to assist Displaced Communities over Shiroro Dam

[NewsCaster]

21 years after the construction of the Shiroro Hydro Electric Power dam in Niger State, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured all communities affected by the construction of the dam that they will be compensated by the Federal Government.

The President, who gave the assurance in Minna yesterday during his two-day state visit and presidential campaign, said that the need to compensate the affected communities was as a result of the devastating effect of the dam on their farmlands and agricultural produce.

He pointed out that it was for this reason that he wasted no time in signing the Hydro Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Bill into law immediately it was passed by the National Assembly, stressing that "the construction of the dam has led to the relocation of the people and their farmlands."

According to the President, "as a student, I know the history of the construction of the dam, how people were re-located, how farmlands are now under the water and other negative impacts of the dam on the lives of the people."

Source: Govt to assist displaced communities over dam