By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that community members affected by the ongoing road construction will be compensated, and particularly those whose crops were affected will be addressed within the next two days.
Wike disclosed this on Monday when he went on an inspection of ongoing road construction projects in Life Camp and Katampe districts, as well as the rehabilitation of the International Conference Center in Abuja.
The FCT Minister was impressed with the progress of the road project in Life Camp and the expected timeline for completion of the project being executed by Julius Berger Construction.
In Katampe where the road project construction is being executed by CGC, Wike announced plans to extend the scope of the contract to establish a connection to N20.
“The contractors have agreed that they will still complete it even though it is an additional job at the same timeframe, which is next year May. We are happy with that commitment.”
At the International Conference Centre, ICC, the minister emphasized the need for rehabilitation of Center, as he recalled a previous incident when Nigeria faced embarrassment during the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament due to the low standard condition of the facility.
“Mr. President directed immediately that we must rehabilitate it to meet international standards. With what I’ve seen Julius Berger doing, I am quite satisfied that by the grace of God, April next year, they would have handed over this project, and it will be available for Nigerians to use,” he announced.
According to him, when upgraded the ICC would meet global standards, thereby placing Nigeria on the pedestal of a respectable host for international events.
The minister concluded by outlining the government’s commitment to completing these projects by the second anniversary of Mr. President’s administration.
“We are working towards showcasing significant progress, and by the grace of God, many of these projects will be highlighted, reaffirming that a lot has been accomplished in Abuja within the last two years,” he said.
Speaking about the compensation for affected individuals in Life Camp, Wike explained the process; “What we went to do at Life Camp has to do majorly with the crops, and then there are some small houses that we need to compensate.”
“If it requires relocating them, we will do so; if it requires just compensation, we will proceed accordingly. It depends on what is available. What is important to us is that we are working together with the various communities, Wike said.
