By Suleman Ahmad
Residents and traders in Dawanau, Dawaki Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have decried the confiscation of their land for the construction of the Kano-Maradi railway line without receiving fair compensation.
During a peaceful protest on Thursday morning, affected community members called on relevant stakeholders to review the compensation process and ensure justice. According to them, while they were supposed to receive N100 million in compensation, only N6 million was paid.
The protest, attended by traders and residents whose shops and houses were demolished, featured placards with inscriptions such as “We want justice for the compensation of our houses, shops, and farms taken for the construction of the railway line.”
Speaking to journalists, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, a leader of the protest under the umbrella of Concerned Residents and Business Owners of Dawanau Market, urged the Federal Government, Kano State Government, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, members of the National and State Assemblies, and the Kano Emirate Council to intervene.
He acknowledged the importance of the railway project but lamented that many residents and industrialists had suffered unjust treatment, with some losing businesses that employed between 50 to 100 workers.
Muhammad also revealed that the railway line’s design had been altered. Initially planned to pass over a flyover at Dawanau Junction, it will now be constructed underground, leading to further land acquisitions that could negatively impact the community.
The protesters appealed for urgent intervention to prevent further hardship and ensure that affected individuals receive fair compensation.