Gishiri: Wike Directs Payment Of Compensation To All Affected Persons

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to ensure that all persons affected by the ongoing road construction in Gishiri community are paid their right compensation claims.

Wike gave this directive, during a meeting with representatives of the community in his Gwarinpa I District (Life Camp) residence on Monday.

He ordered that everyone affected by the road project, whether he or she is an indigene or non-indigene is paid his/her appropriate compensations.

The Minister argued that compensation was not paid based on where one comes from, but rather based on property affected.

His words: “How can you say you won’t pay me because I am not an indigene. I built my house, government constructed road and demolished it and you said you won’t compensate me!”

“Go and pay them their money. If you are doing anything else I won’t be happy with you,” the Minister said.

He accused some of the community members of going about telling lies and trying to blackmail government; saying he had meetings with the stakeholders, including traditional ruler of the area and AMAC Chairman who are fully aware of the processes, even as he blamed any seeming delay in payment on bureaucracy.

Wike, however, warned against threats, intimidation and sabotage; vowing that government work must go on and he would ensure the work never stopped.

The Minister, who has scheduled visit to the relocation site Thursday, disclosed that he had given directive for whatever amount valued per person to be doubled; considering the prevailing economic condition of the country.

Sa’payi of Garki, Usman Nga Kupi, while speaking during the meeting, apologized for any wrongdoing and noted that the FCT original inhabitants have never had it this good.

He frowned at the behaviour of some of the community members, who had earlier embarked on protest over delayed payment of compensation.

On his part, Youth Leader of the community, Adamu Godwin Umar, informed the Minister that they rejected the area shown to them because it was a swampy area instead of the one approved for them.