The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) a one-week deadline to allocate land for resettling victims of the demolition in Gishiri village.
It is recalled that 455 houses and structures were demolished in Katampe District, Abuja, to pave the way for a road project.
Wike issued the directive during his visit to the community on Wednesday to address the ongoing dispute between residents and the FCDA over compensation payments and relocation arrangements.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), tensions arose when community members accused FCDA officials of designating a swampy area for their resettlement, contrary to what the minister had approved.
During a meeting with Wike on Monday, residents also complained that the compensation offered to some affected individuals was insufficient. In response, the minister pledged to personally assess the situation.
Upon arriving in the community on Wednesday, Wike questioned the FCDA Director of Land, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, about the designated relocation site.
Nwankwoeze stated that two locations had been identified: a 12-hectare site with 58 plots near Hope for Survival Orphanage and a 1.7-hectare site with five plots behind the Local Education Authority Primary School.
He explained that the land had not yet been allocated as they wanted the minister to inspect the sites first.
“We felt you should see the location before we proceed with the allocations. We will merge and design the plots before distribution,” he said.
However, he noted that no area in the resettlement site near Hope for Survival Orphanage was entirely vacant, as it had been previously demolished and later developed without proper planning.
Interrupting, Wike dismissed the explanation, stating, “I don’t agree with you, and this should be the last time I hear such complaints.
“I am giving you one week to allocate the land to the affected persons. If the land is insufficient, we will find an alternative.
“All this long grammar, I don’t want to hear it,” he said.
The minister also questioned the Director of Resettlement and Compensation, Mr. Nasiru Suleiman, about the status of compensation payments.
Suleiman responded that payments had not yet started, as they were waiting for land allocation.
Wike then ordered the immediate commencement of payments, warning the community leaders that refusing the money would result in losing the land.
“If you don’t accept the money, I will not allocate the land.
“Go and collect the money so that when you receive the land, you can begin development,” he directed.