By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister Barr Nysome Wike has given assurance that displaced residents of Guzape and Kpaduma afffected by the road construction in the communities will be full compensated.
Wike gave this assurance on Monday in Abuja at a meeting with the traditional rulers and representatives of Kpaduma and Guzape communities over the road project.
The minister stated that the meeting was to address the relocation of affected residents living on the fringes of the road.
He expressed concerns over the continued stay of residents on the fringes road that are marked for construction to ease traffic and to open up communities in the FCT.
However, the minister assured the traditional leaders and community members of justice and fairness to those affected.
Affected individuals would be duly compensated, and a Right of Occupancy for new resettlement areas would be provided without delay, Wike promised.
Wike has directed the Director of Resettlement to evaluate the cost to resettle the affected residents, adding that the
compensation rate already given was too meager and asked the director to increase it by 100 percent.
“Increase their rate. If they are supposed to get N50, give them N100.”
“We are not here to displace anyone unjustly. This is about building a better Abuja for all.”
“We will ensure your people are properly compensated and given legal documents for their new homes,” he said.
He emphasized that only those whose structures are along the road corridor will be paid compensation and not the entire community.
The minister appealed for the understanding of the villagers despite their
deep-rooted attachment to their ancestral lands, adding that the government’s development efforts must sometimes involve difficult decisions.
The Sa’peyi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi, who led the traditional leaders commended Wike for his transparency and the willingness to engage the people directly.
Nga-Kupi acknowledged the benefits of the road project to the communities, and pledged their cooperation and support to the resettlement process.
“We are grateful for the minister’s assurance and the respect shown to our people.”
“We will support this effort in the interest of peace and progress”, he emphasized.
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