By Louise Jobe
A resident ofNyanga Bantang village, whose properties were affected by the construction of the Nyanga Bantang/Nyanija tar road, has demanded compensation from the National Road Authority (NRA) after two of their affected villagers had received compensation.
Modou Ndow, recorded by NRA field worker Omar Khan in a list of affected property owners, claims he has not received the promised compensation for the damages caused during the roadwork conducted by CSE, a Senegalese construction company, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Khan told Foroyaa he would follow up with the account department to resolve the issue.
However, NRA communication officer Arfang Camara said Modou Ndow’s name is not on their list, but confirmed that the two other victims, whose receipts were seen by Foroyaa, had been paid.
In response to the complaints, Camara clarified that the NRA is not responsible for making the compensation payments directly. According to Camara, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance to handle the payments, while the NRA’s role is to facilitate the process.
The affected villager, Ndow, described the difficulties he has faced since his compound was destroyed during the road’s construction. As a farmer, Ndow expressed his struggle, particularly with a poor harvest of groundnuts this season, adding that he desperately needs compensation to rebuild his house.
“I am a farmer, and my income comes from farming. This year, our groundnut harvest has been poor,” said Mr. Ndow. “I want my money because I need to rebuild my house.”
He expressed disappointment that, while some of their fellow villagers have been paid, he has yet to receive any financial support for his demolished or damaged properties.
Mr. Sait Jeng, one of the victims, explained that his house was destroyed during the construction of the road nearly two years ago. According to Mr. Jeng, the government, through the NRA, assured all affected residents that they would be compensated.
The road construction began in late 2022 and continued through 2024. During the construction period, eight family compounds were affected, with compensation promised to all impacted residents. Some families have already received their compensation payments, leaving Ndow still waiting.
