Wike Directs Relocation of Nuwalege Community 

By: Wisdom Acka

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the Director, Department of Development Contro, Mukhar Galadima to ensure that Nuwalege Community gives way for the Presidential fleet plot. 

Galadima, who disclosed this during an engagement with members of the community on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that the directive was given as a result of an earlier request from the Nigerian Air Force. 

“About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the Minister on their desire to remove this village (Nuwalege Community) 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 FCTA. The Nigerian Air Force then approached the Department of Development Control on their desire,” he said. 

“As part of our responsibility, we have to do what you call 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,” he added. 

“We visited the Chief at his Palace to meet him and we told him our reason for coming to this place today”, he said. 

According to him, about 200 houses, along with some commercial stores attached to these houses would be removed. 

On compensation of the affected natives, Galadima 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 who was really given this compensation.”

“We are going to conduct further investigation between FCT Administration, that’s the Department of Resettlement and Compensation, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and find out if compensation has been paid, to who and when”.

The Director explained that the village was too close to co-habit with the Air Force formation, which is the Presidential fleet, hence the imperative to remove it. 

He added that the affected persons have been sufficiently sensitized and were on the same page with the authorities on the impending demolition.