The Bayelsa Government has approved N1.2 billion for payment of compensation to owners of properties affected by the construction of a flyover bridge in Etegwe area of Yenagoa.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Markson Fefegha, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen in Yenagoa.
The commissioner said that the compensation would be paid in phases in the next two weeks.
“We want to use this opportunity to reassure property owners around the area designated for the construction of the Flyover Bridge, that in the next two weeks, we will start payment of compensation.
“We, therefore, call for understanding from the affected property owners, so that they don’t feel that government is not living up to its obligations.
“We will definitely complete the payment but you know the figure for the compensation is about N1.2 billion which was not contained in this year’s budget.
“We have to handle it in such a way that we don’t distort the budget and breach the appropriation law,” he said.
He said that the amount was part of the N3 billion intervention fund sought for by the state government for the completion of Ogbia/Nembe road project in 2015.
The commissioner expressed the hope that sea piracy would drastically reduce in the state after the completion of ongoing bridge projects being executed by the state government.
According to him, the bridges will enable security agencies in the state to have easier access to riverine areas, where some of the pirates are operating from.
“The construction of the bridges will put proper check on piracy on the waterways and boost the economy of the area,” he added
