By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As a means of paving way for the recovery, expansion, and the development of the presidential fleet, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCDA, said it concluded plans to relocate over 200 buildings erected in Nuwalege community along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport over.
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has directed the Director, Department of Development Control (DDC), to engage the leaders of the said community.
Speaking during a community and citizen engagement yesterday, DDC Director, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima said the measure was in pursuant to the request from the Nigerian Air Force, about a month ago to reclaim the land.
Galadinma said, “About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the Honorable minister on their need and desire to relocate this 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’s the responsibility of the FCT administration. The Nigerian Air Force approached the Department of Development Control on their desire.”
” We have to do 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 chief at his palace to meet him, and we told him our reason for coming to this place.”
Galadima also hinted that about 150 to 200 houses with commercial stores that are attached to them will be affected by the development.
While fielding questions from newsmen on the issue of compensating the would-be affected natives, the Director said, “We will discuss with the Air Force because obviously discussion behind the scene indicates that some forms of compensation were paid.”
“But, we have to be certain that this compensation actually were paid, and also those given this compensation.”
“We are going to conduct further investigation by engaging the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation as well as the Nigerian Air Force, and find out if compensation has been paid, to who and when.”
“And then, we will discuss with our colleagues at the Department of Resettlement and Compensation whether, at any time, there was any compensation that ascertained their claims as regards to the number of structures and people that will be affected by this expansion project.”
However, the DCC Director said that issues like security must be considered, adding that in some settlements is where people of the underworld try 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 that urgent desire to remove part of this community, 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.’
Galadima stated that they have had dialogue with the Chief and community heads and have informed them of wider consultation with the Nigerian Air Force.
