Landowners who gave up their land for the establishment of the Federal University, Wukari, have commended Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, for initiating the payment of compensation owed to them since 2011.
In a statement made available to journalists in Jalingo, the beneficiaries, who are residents of Wukari community, commended the governor for honouring the compensation agreement reached with the state government.
They described the move as a long-overdue step toward justice.
According to the group, Go. Kefas is the first administration to address their grievances over a decade after their land was acquired for the federal institution.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Bawa Adi, praised the governor’s humane intervention and confirmed that initial disbursements have commenced.
“These funds are essential for supporting our families and continuing our farming activities, especially in these difficult economic times,” Adi said.
He urged the state government to complete the outstanding payments to fully ease the burden on affected landowners.
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Acknowledging the prevailing economic challenges, the group appealed to the governor to continue prioritising the issue, emphasising that the full payment will bring closure to the long-standing issue of neglect and financial hardship.
The group’s legal representative, P.M. Shagnah, while lauding the governor’s responsiveness, admitted that the agreed payment timeline had not been fully met, but that Gov. Kefas’s goodwill and engagement with the matter have reassured his clients.
“Although there have been delays, we see no reason to return to court. The payment process is ongoing, and the governor has shown genuine concern,” Shagnah said.
