Massive Demolition To Hit Gishiri Over Road Construction

By: Wisdom Acka & Fatima Gambo

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered immediate demolition of structures on the Arterial Road N16 corridors in Gishiri Village, Katampe District of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

The illegal structures are said to be obstructing work on the ongoing construction work of the road expected for completion by May.

Wike, who disclosed this while talking to newsmen after inspection of the project, Tuesday, emphasized that the FCT Administration had engaged with community leaders many times earlier.

He revealed that and compensation and relocation alternatives have been made to affected residents; regretting that despite these, some structures still remained in place, hindering progress of work on site.

His words: “I have been here more than four times. We have sat down with the community leaders and their chiefs. I have told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, CGC, will be able to complete this road and hand it over by May.”

“I did inform the traditional ruler that this work has to go on. No government will sit back and allow people to sabotage a public interest project,” he said.

“I personally came here to supervise this demolition, and I want them to know that it’s no longer business as usual,” Wike reiterated.

The Minister stressed that traditional ruler of the area had requested a one-week grace period, during which compensation funds were made available, and a relocation site arranged, yet illegal constructions continued in the area.

Wike warned that government would not tolerate any actions that could undermine public interest; asserting that the demolition was necessary for timely completion of work.

Responding to concerns about humanitarian impact of the demolition exercise, the Minister insisted that ample time had been given for the community to relocate.

“We have given them more than two-three months. We have also provided compensation and a resettlement plan. What more is human than that?”, he wondered.

The Minister restated commitment of the FCT Administration to ensuring that the road project, and others, were completed as scheduled.

He urged the affected residents to work with the authorities to finalize their relocation arrangements to allow work to go on.