Mohammed Ibrahim-Shuaibu, a traditional ruler in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has assured his subjects of equitable distribution of the N1 billion compensation paid by Dangote Group of Companies.
The company paid the amount over its proposal to establish a sugar refinery in Tunga.
The monarch gave the assurance on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Tunga, Nasarawa State.
According to him, the Dangote Group had already deposited N800 million in a First City Monument Bank name Tunga Projects Funds.
“The money for developmental projects as parts of corporate social responsibility of the company to develop our community is yet to be deposited to our account.
“Even if the money for the development would be given, we have to first of all identify projects that are of benefit to the community and write the company before it would be released,” he added.
He explained that two committees were set up to identify projects and take records of all people that needed to be compensated.
The committees had already taken inventory of all people that are supposed to be compensated and by the grace of God, next week the first set of compensation would be given.
He added that all members of the committees were men of proven integrity that would not do anything to jeopardise their integrity.
He also assured Dangote Group of the determination of the people to cooperate with them, to ensure smooth operation of the company in the area.
The traditional ruler also dismissed the insinuation that the money was diverted by some people in the community.
NAN reports that some anonymous persons had accused the traditional ruler of diverting the money for compensation and development in the community.
The Dangote Group had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nasarawa State Government to establish a sugar refinery in Tunga. (NAN)
SDJ/IA