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 receive their rightful compensation claims.
Wike gave this directive during a meeting with representatives of the community at his Gwarinpa I District (Life Camp) residence on Monday.
He ordered that everyone affected by the road project, whether indigene or non-indigene, must be paid their appropriate compensation.
The Minister emphasized that compensation is based on the property affected, not on a person’s origin.
His words: “How can you say you won’t pay me because I am not an indigene? I built my house, the government constructed a 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,” Wike warned.
He accused some community members of spreading falsehoods and attempting to blackmail the government, insisting that all stakeholders—including the traditional ruler and AMAC Chairman—were aware of the processes. He attributed any delays to bureaucratic challenges.
However, Wike cautioned against threats, intimidation, and sabotage, vowing that the project would continue without interruption.
The Minister, who is scheduled to visit the relocation site on Thursday, disclosed that he had ordered a doubling of compensation payments in response to the country’s economic conditions.
Sa’payi of Garki, Usman Nga Kupi, apologized for any wrongdoing and acknowledged that the FCT original inhabitants have never received such favorable treatment.
He criticized some community members for protesting over delayed compensation.
On his part, Youth Leader of the community, Adamu Godwin Umar, informed the Minister that they rejected the relocation site offered because it was swampy rather than the approved area.
