Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has directed the director of the FCT department of development control to ensure that the Nuwalege community on Airport Road is removed for the presidential fleet plot that is about to be built.
The director, Mukhtar Galadima, who made this known during a community and citizens’ engagement yesterday in Abuja, said the minister explained that it became imperative that the community give way for development following the request from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
He said about a month ago the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the minister about their need and desire to remove the village because it is part of the presidential fleet plots.
“So, the minister in his wisdom requested them to allow the FCT administration to handle it, because it is the responsibility of the FCT administration. The Nigerian Air Force approached the Department of Development Control on their desire.
“So, as part of our responsibility, we have to do what you call a community and citizens engagement which is why we are here today to discuss with the community and to tell them of our intention because it will be unfair to just bring the machine here and start removing their houses.
“So, we visited the chiefs at his palace to meet him and we told him our reason for coming to this place today,” he said.
Galadima said about 150 to 200 houses with additional commercial stores that are attached to the houses will be removed.
On the issue of compensating the affected natives, said that they would discuss it with the Air Force because discussion behind the scene indicated that some forms of compensation were paid.
“But, we have to be certain that this compensation actually was paid, and also who was given this compensation. We are going to conduct further investigation between the FCT administration, that is the Department of Resettlement and Compensation, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and find out if compensation has been paid, to whom and when.
“Then, we will discuss with our colleague at the Department of Resettlement and Compensation whether, at any point in time, there was any compensation that ascertained their claims as regards the number of structures and people that are going to be affected by this expansion project,” he said.
He further said that there are certain things that they have to look into, with consideration like the security, because obviously, it is part of some of these settlements where they have some of the people of the underworld trying to disguise and hide.
“And looking at this, the Air Force formation, which is the presidential fleet, is too close for this thing to co-habit. So, we will see if there is an urgent desire to remove part of this community, and we will do it.
“So, we have to do some community engagement. It is not the entire community because we have gone around and we have seen the areas affected by the presidential fleet plot and the areas that are outside that plot,” he said.
While speaking on the expectations of the village chief, the director said, “At least we have given him the respect as a high-class person. We have discussed and informed him why we are here and we are coming back again for a wider consultation, involving the Nigerian Air Force, our colleagues, and then the community heads. So, I think we have done the needful by engaging them adequately.”
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