The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has defended the ongoing road development project, stating that compensation will only be paid to those whose houses were directly affected by the construction.
Speaking during a media live chat on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, Wike clarified that the project aims to enhance community development and that only properties along the road corridor would be impacted.
“The road is for the development of the people. We are not taking the whole community, just the road corridor. Only those whose houses were affected should be compensated,” Wike stated.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the FCT minister on Tuesday ordered the demolition of buildings obstructing the construction of Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri Village of Katampe District in the Federal Capital City (FCC).
During a site visit to the community on Tuesday, the minister explained previous efforts by the government to collaborate with community leaders by offering compensation and relocation options for impacted residents.
He said that despite the discussions, certain structures remain, affecting the project’s progress.
“I have visited this site more than four times and have engaged with community leaders and their chiefs. It is crucial for them to cooperate with the government so that CGC, our contractor, can complete this road by May,” Wike said.
However, while speaking on the media chat, Barr Wike criticised attempts to sabotage the project, asserting his responsibility to ensure its execution.
“If we are coming to a community and say the whole community should evacuate, then you can say we should compensate, not when it’s just 20 houses. Now, we are doing that, and you are trying to sabotage us. I have a job to do, and my job is to execute that project,” he added.
Addressing concerns about relocation of the affected persons, the Minister argued that building new houses is only justified when an entire community is displaced, not when a project affects a limited number of homes.
“If we are relocating a community, then we can go and build houses for them, not just 20 or 50 houses for a road corridor. Sometimes, it doesn’t take all the houses, maybe just some part of it. Where does that happen anywhere in the world?” he questioned.
The minister also condemned the alleged politicisation of traditional institutions, warning against interference with government projects.
“The traditional rulers are playing some politics; you can’t do that with me. We respect traditional institutions, but you can’t sabotage our work,” he asserted.
