A report by the Environmental Resources Management and EnvAccord Limited has revealed that the Kano-Niger rail project will lead to the displacement of 12,695 homes and 2,064 assets on the railway corridor.

Commissioned by the Africa Finance Corporation, the report indicates that the project will lead to the loss of 12,695 residential homes and 2,064 other assets across various states in northern Nigeria.

These conclusions are outlined in the environmental and social due diligence assessment conducted for the proposed railway line.

According to the report, the displacement will affect 19,238 individuals economically, while also leading to the resettlement of numerous communities along the railway route.

It said, “The project will run through 122 communities in 25 Local Government Areas across three states in Nigeria, and 11 communities in three communes in Niger Republic.

“In addition, according to the supplementary RAP report, physical and economic displacement will involve the loss of 12,695 residential houses, the loss of 2,064 complementary assets, and 19,238 economically displaced persons.”

The assessment focuses on a 393km railway route that traverses the Nigerian states of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, extending to Maradi in the Republic of Niger.

The project involves the construction of 13 stations and various ancillary buildings, and is anticipated to enhance transportation infrastructure between Nigeria and Niger.

The extensive displacement outlined in the report has sparked concerns about the project’s social impact, especially on the affected communities.

Despite these challenges, the report suggests that the negative effects can be mitigated with proper social safeguards and resettlement planning.

However, considerable effort is still needed to ensure that compensation and resettlement practices meet international standards.

A critical aspect of the project highlighted in the report is the issue of land acquisition and involuntary resettlement.

The assessment identified gaps between Nigeria’s land compensation rates and the standards required under international guidelines.

The report noted that compensation for the loss of structures, crops, and trees is based on government rates without adjustment for inflation or compliance with the Land Use Act.

This has resulted in a significant number of aggrieved persons, particularly in the Jiba Community of Sandanmu LGA, Katsina State, where compensation was initially paid to the wrong individuals, reflecting potentially unlawful behaviour in the process.

Source: https://punchng.com/Kano-Niger-rail-project-will-affect-14,750-homes-assets-Report

We know it's not easy but Let their compensation be good enough. It will help

This project is not viable giving our present economic situation. It pure waste of scarce resources.

Another white elephant project just like the Lagos-calabar coastal highway.

Ebola BATeria is a natural disaster.

Niger's military junta will not work with the FG to accomplish this project...

What economic importance to the entire nation?

Always embarking on projects that enable them to steal, I thought our government brain should be on factory reset after the protests to embark on the masses oriented project. Let them shall hire me to carry out the compensation survey for the affected individuals.

Sad for home owners. Corruption will not let them receive much in compensation due to them. They will be forced to give up more than half their awarded money to corrupt officials overseeing the compensation. Nigerians are very greedy, wicked and evil people.

Giovannialonso:
What economic importance to the entire nation?

Morecalmajiris and herdsmen will come and patronize us

Waste of resources

Giovannialonso:
What economic importance to the entire nation?

For the government not the people.

The rail project is of no use to Nigeria.
Why not Kano-lagos rail?.
Tinubu should cancel that contract asap or redirect it

🤣🤣
Very funny government 🤣🤣

The north is preparing for a possible breakup.

For those asking what the importance is

Kano - Niger standard gauge can easily be extended from Niger to Abuja and also Abuja to Ibadan

This means an effective rail from Kano - Lagos via Abuja and Ibadan and also Kano to Warri via Abuja and Itakpe

It’s really surprising reading some comments here. Nigeria is decades behind in infrastructure, projects as these is a must.

Kaybaba5:

Morecalmajiris and herdsmen will come and patronize us

Atleast they will take your mother down...

Mkpi!

princepeter566:
The rail project is of no use to Nigeria.
Why not Kano-lagos rail?.
Tinubu should cancel that contract asap or redirect it

There is a reason why you are where you are in life..

Another way to loot fund and render people homeless...

yoruboid:
For those asking what the importance is

Kano - Niger standard gauge can easily be extended from Niger to Abuja and also Abuja to Ibadan

This means an effective rail from Kano - Lagos via Abuja and Ibadan and also Kano to Warri via Abuja and Itakpe

Niger republic not Niger state

What does Niger really have that will help boost revenue for such project. May be they are thinking of helping them with importation and exportation, they can use Nigerian ports for loading and the rail transport via land to Niger and vis versal.

I hope the loan will be used judiciously and the revenue generated can service the loan repayment if not, its another burden on tax payers meaning more inflation and currency devaluation

Giovannialonso:
What economic importance to the entire nation?

help me ask them. Peoples are wallowing in poverty yet this unproductive projects their problem. Nigerians are funny people helping another country with development.

Always giving hope ,we dey wait patiently to see the homes

nurey:
What does Niger really have that will help boost revenue for such project. May be they are thinking of helping them with importation and exportation, they can use Nigerian ports for loading and the rail transport via land to Niger and vis versal.

I hope the loan will be used judiciously and the revenue generated can service the loan repayment if not, its another burden on tax payers meaning more inflation and currency devaluation

princepeter566:
The rail project is of no use to Nigeria.
Why not Kano-lagos rail?.
Tinubu should cancel that contract asap or redirect it

Giovannialonso:
What economic importance to the entire nation?

Klington:


Another white elephant project just like the Lagos-calabar coastal highway.

Ebola BATeria is a natural disaster.

dejol88:
This project is not viable giving our present economic situation. It pure waste of scarce resources.

Did you people know Niger, Chad and other countries used Nigeria ports do to their landlocked. Let me stop here so you can educate yourself

Anything for Development.
But if we continue the stealing and think season will not change... Well body go tell them when he happen.

Invest now in what's sustainable before the music changes.

God Bless Nigeria.

Noted

Considering the situation in Niger Republic vs ECOWAS, and the support for the Junta there by the same Northerners who claim they are suffering hardship in Nigeria, President Tinubu should cancel the project immediately.

I trust this report is actually a deliberate PR to facilitate that move.

Cancel the project as Nigeria only signed off on it while a legitimate and constitutional government was in power in Niger Republic. Not this current illegitimate military junta that is holding the legitimate President of Niger Republic under house arrest.

The funds should be devoted to human capital develop in the same axis of Northern Nigeria that would have suffered further due to the execution of the project as reported in the assessment.

I trust President Tinubu is smart on this.

This has resulted in a significant number of aggrieved persons, particularly in the Jiba Community of Sandanmu LGA, Katsina State, where compensation was initially paid to the wrong individuals, reflecting potentially unlawful behaviour in the process.

So the Buhari government cannot even pay the right people in his own state? Same state where Aminu Bello Masari was Governor and has now been appointed Chairman of TETFund?

Will TETFund also make mistakes in disbursing payments to the right institutions and faculty?