The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has resolved the persistent land dispute regarding the establishment of a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike disclosed this during a parley with members of the community and other stakeholders on Tuesday, Wike said he understood their pains and would do all in his power to get them their dues.
It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in March 2022 approved the second runway, with the project broken into four components. The project was also meant for commissioning by June of 2023.
Part of the Jiwa Community which hosts the runway, however, protested their eviction from their ancestral lands, demanding compensation from the government.
Wike directed that N825 million be paid as compensation and resettlement to the affected landowners.
Speaking on the resolutions of the meeting, Wike said; “We have been able to resolve amicably with the community, and contractors will now move to site.
“The FCT through the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA will release the money approved for compensation and settlement of those who are there. The total value is N825.82 million for the compensation and resettlement.
“As part of the incentives to the community, 12 immediate employment from the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies as the case may be, and 10 from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the Jiwa community.
We are going to construct Tunga Madaki Bridge, which we will put in the 2024 budget, with a 5km road. We are going to provide a modern healthcare facility for the community.
“The Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Aviation and that of the FCTA, His Royal Highness (the Sarkin Jiwa), AMAC Chairman, and the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (FCT) will sign the agreement reached between government and Jiwa Community, and if that is done today, by tomorrow or next, the moment the money gets to them, the contractors will no longer delay, as they have to move to the site immediately and commence work. So, the second runway has come to stay.
“I know how you are feeling. I am from a community where the government has taken virtually all our land for development. So, if there is anything that should be done to make you happy, I will carry it on my head. But the truth remains that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. If the Aviation ministry had concerned themselves with the runway project alone, we wouldn’t have found ourselves here but they came to usurp the job of the FCTA.
