FCTA To Allocate Land To Gishiri Road Construction Victims Within One Week

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the allocate of land for resettlement of those affected by the Gishiri road road construction within one week.

Recall that 455 structures were removed in the Gishiri community in Katampe District, Abuja, to make way for construction of the N16 arterial road.

Wike gave the directive during a visit to the community on Wednesday, to conclude arrangements for payment of compensation and relocation.

Abuja Digest recalls that the victims, had Monday, complained during a meeting with the Minister that they were being allocated unsuitable plots, thus prompting the visit.

They also cried out that some of the compensation money were too small, with some being offered ₦72, 000.

However, Wike has already directed the upward review of the rates 100 per cent of all compensation claims, taking this amount to ₦144,000. It was also discovered that this amount was actually valued for a local clay barn used to store farm produce.

Wike said: “I give you people one week. Go and allocate the land to the affected persons. If it is not enough, we will find another alternative.”

The Minister also directed immediate commencement of payment to affected persons, and urged the community leaders to collect the money, or he would not give them the land.

His words: “If you don’t take the money, I will not give you the land again. Go and collect the money so that when you get the land, you will start developing it.”

Abuja Digest reports that the FCT Administration has earmarked two areas for the resettlement sites. One is a 12-hectare land with 58 plots around Hope for Survival Orphanage, while the other is a 1.7-hectare with five plots, located behind Local Education Authority Primary School in Gishiri.