Presidential Fleet Development: Wike Sanctions Relocation of 200 Houses at Nuwalege Community

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has ratified the process of relocation of Nuwalege Community to enable the seamless expansion of presidential fleet plot along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, in Abuja.

Over 200 houses in the community will be affected by the proposed activity.

To that effect, Wike has directed the Director, Department of Development Control (DDC), to engage the leaders of the said community where houses will be affected.

Speaking during a community and citizen engagement yesterday, DDC Director, Mukhtar Galadima said the measure was pursuant to the request from the Nigerian Air Force, about a month ago.

He said a month ago, the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the minister on their needs and desire to relocate the village, as it was part of the presidential fleet plots.

“So, the minister in his wisdom requested them to allow the FCT Administration to handle it, because it’s the responsibility of FCT administration. The Nigerian Air Force approached the Department of Development Control on their desire.

“We have to do a community and citizens’ engagement, which is why we are here today to discuss with the community and to tell them of our intention, because it will be unfair to just bring the machine here and start removing their houses.

“So, we visited the chief at his palace to meet him and we told him our reason for coming to this place,”  Galadima said.

On the issue of compensation for the would-be affected natives, Galadima said they would discuss with the Air Force, saying obviously discussion behind the scene indicated that some forms of compensation were paid.

Further according to him, “We are going to conduct further investigation by engaging   the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation as well as the Nigerian Air Force, and find out if compensation has been paid, to who and when?

“And then, we will discuss with our colleagues at  the Department of Resettlement and Compensation whether at any point in time, there was any compensation that ascertained their claims as regards to the number of structures and people that are going to be affected by this expansion project.”