The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday expressed deep concern over attempts by some members of the Abuja original inhabitants to sabotage the developmental efforts of government in the FCT over the lingering issues of compensation and relocation.
During a media chat with select journalists in the FCT, the Minister clarified that the FCT Administration has made significant efforts to address the concerns of affected communities. He stated that compensations have been disbursed over several years, and relocation processes are ongoing. However, he condemned the persistent demands for further compensation by some individuals who have already received payments.
“Compensations have been made several years ago, I can tell you that,” the Minister affirmed, citing examples where the FCTA has even doubled the legally prescribed compensation to alleviate hardship. He emphasized that while the government is committed to providing fair compensation, it will not succumb to unreasonable demands.
Regarding recent demolitions along road corridors, Barr. Wike explained that these actions are necessary to facilitate crucial road projects in the public interest. He reiterated the government’s offer to compensate and relocate affected residents, but clarified that the FCTA will not construct individual houses for those affected along road corridors. “The point we are making, if we are coming to a community to say let the entire community relocate, then you talk about building houses for them, not road corridor where 20 houses are affected,” he emphasized.
The Minister highlighted the FCT Administration’s commitment to completing ongoing projects, with plans to commission several roads in May to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary. He also announced plans to partner with the private sector to improve public transportation by establishing a safe and efficient system, including the construction of bus terminals
Addressing the issue of youth empowerment, Barr. Wike expressed disappointment over reports that vehicles procured for youth empowerment programs were sold off by beneficiaries. He stressed the importance of a work ethic and genuine commitment to self-reliance. He said “We bought vehicles, have you seen any of the vehicles on the road? They’ve sold them. We are trying to empower you to own a business and you are sabotaging it”.
The Minister however expressed confidence that his recent investment driven trip to Italy where he interacted with the Lombardy Regional President, Attilo Fontana, alongside key agribusiness and vocational education investors, will provide further opportunities for the youths to be trained to become meaningfully engaged.
He said, “I’m very happy that it’s one of the trips that yielded results. Regional heads like the Mandate Secretary of Education and Mandate Secretary of Agriculture were part of the delegation, so they are working at the details now with the officials of Lombardy. I feel so happy that our youths will now have several areas where they can be trained and then try to be self-employed. I believe in the next one week, they would have finished all the documentations and then we will be able to send the first set of our youths to Lombardy for training”.
