The fate of over 1,500 houses under construction and over 500 plots of land is still uncertain in some communities of Kumbotso, Gwale and Ungogo local government areas of Kano metropolis.
The land as well as the houses marked for use by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in 2017 for the passage of electricity transmission lines from the 42-year old Kumbotso transmission station to the new Rimin Zakara transmission station under construction.
The affected areas include Gaida, Unguwar Kwari, Samegu, Kuyan Ta Inna, Danbare, Unguwar Jakada, Chiranchi, Unguwar Wambai, Rimin Gata, Rijiyar Zaki and Rimin Zakara in the three LGAs.
Representative of those affected, Hafizu Umar, said their fate is still not known as they have tried all means possible without any solution.
“This work started around 2017 when the TCN marked our houses and ordered us to stop building them, they valuated our properties and ordered us to halt our constructions but are yet to settle us.”
He also alleged that they have complained to members representing Kumbotso, Gwale and Ungogo federal constituencies and the senator representing Kano central, Kano State House of Assembly, TCN office in Kano, but all to no avail.
Isa Kaura, a resident said they have complained to several other places, but all their effort appears to be an exercise in futility.
They also alleged that they have uncovered plans to bypass their areas and possibly start the payment from the highbrow areas of Rimin Gata and Rimin Zakara.
“We even heard that one of them once lectured the minister of power, so they are very powerful and influential. Our fear is, if they succeed in using their influence to be paid, we (the poor) may be forgotten. We are pleading with all the relevant stakeholders to please come to our aid,” Kaura said.
Kabiru Abdullahi, another resident blamed the Kano state government’s unwillingness to push for it.
“Similar project started in Jigawa state and it was their governor that has been pressurizing and has been pushing for it until it gets completed. We were told that he went there more than 30 times before completion.
“So, we are appealing to Kano state governor to intervene so that this project could finally see the light of the day.”
When contacted, the General Manager, Public Affairs, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Ndidi Mbah, said the projects were ongoing as TCN was making efforts along with the Kano State Government to address all issues of compensation for the right of way and the substations’ site.
“TCN is always in touch with the Government of Kano State on the Right of Way and compensation issues. We believe that the partnerships with the state government will soon yield fruitful results as we call on the residents to be patient while the State Government resolves this,” she noted.
