Construction work on the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project has resumed at full speed despite ongoing disputes over compensation for displaced communities and strained relations between Nigeria’s Federal Government and the Niger Republic’s military junta.
The rail line, partly financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), spans 283.75 kilometers, connecting Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria to Maradi in the Niger Republic. Approved in September 2020, the project is expected to displace over 12,000 homes and 2,000 other assets before its completion in 2026.
However, compensation issues have cast a shadow over the project. A settlement audit revealed that out of the N20.3 billion allocated for compensation, only N12.3 billion has been disbursed to 16,032 of the 19,284 affected individuals. Many recipients claim the payments are insufficient, with 3,252 displaced persons yet to receive any compensation.
Farmers like Babangida Idris of Katsina State expressed frustration. “We were promised compensation three months ago, but nothing has been paid,” he lamented, adding that the delays have left him unable to farm or reinvest.
Others, like Alhaji Nuhu Idi, accused officials of short-changing them. “I received N250,000, but it’s barely enough due to the rising cost of living,” he said, noting additional deductions for bank charges.
The audit also criticized the use of a “depreciation valuation method” for assets instead of the AfDB-mandated “replacement valuation method,” which impoverished victims further. It noted that 32% of those interviewed were dissatisfied with their compensation and called for greater transparency in future payments.
Despite these issues, construction has gained momentum. Residents near the project site in Jigawa State expressed optimism about its potential benefits. “This project will improve transportation and bring economic opportunities,” said Musa Malam, a resident of Dundubus.
Community leaders like Alhaji Abdullahi Shuwarin of Shuwarin town emphasized the project’s transformative potential. “The railway will connect us to other parts of the country, facilitating trade and development,” he said.
However, many remain wary of the government’s handling of the compensation process. Critics, including the settlement auditors, urge authorities to address these grievances promptly to ensure the project fulfills its promise of boosting regional growth without leaving displaced communities behind.
Efforts to reach officials from the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation for comments were unsuccessful.
