Toba Owojaiye ReportingÂ
The Federal Government has disclosed that a compensation of N825.819 billion will be offered to the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This compensation aims to facilitate the construction of a 4.2km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, shared this announcement on Tuesday following a negotiation session involving Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, officials from both ministries, agency representatives, and stakeholders from Jiwa, the affected community in Abuja.
According to the minister, the purpose of the N825.8 billion is to encourage the residents to relocate from the community and to secure their collaboration in achieving the completion of the 4.2km second runway project for Abuja, a project that was initially contracted in 2022.
Additionally, Wike highlighted that the FCT plans to construct a 5km bridge in the Tunga Madaki community and establish a modern healthcare facility that will serve as a temporary resettlement area for the indigenous inhabitants.
Moreover, the FCT minister urged the contractors to recommence their work, assuring them that the approved funds will be disbursed starting from the upcoming Wednesday.
Earlier, the Jiwa community had initiated negotiations with the Federal Government, outlining their demand for a compensation of N2.5 million per hectare.