Gusau—The Zamfara State Government said, yesterday, it approved the release of N420 million as compensation for villagers where the new Federal University would be established in the state.

The  Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigerian, NAN, in Gusau.

He stated that the state government had “since approved the release of the funds” but that payment was being delayed because the mode of payment was being designed.

The commissioner said the affected villagers were being categorised into different classes.

He said the houses with government approved documents would be treated differently while farmlands with economic trees would attract more money.

Five communities, including Kuraje, Sabon Gida ta Gabas, Kwanar Nadama, Sabon Gida taYamma and Gidan Magaji had threatened to stop construction work on the site if they were not compensated.

The new university site, situated on the outskirts of Gusau, would take over all the houses, schools and farmlands of the affected villages.