The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has issued a directive for the demolition of the Nuwalege community situated along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This decision was revealed by the FCTA director of developmental control, Mukhtar Galadima, during a community and citizen engagement session held on a Tuesday in Abuja.
The demolition order stemmed from a request made by the Nigerian Air Force to utilize the land for the expansion of the presidential fleet. Galadima explained, “about a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the honourable minister expressing their need to remove this village, as it is part of the presidential fleet plots.” He further elaborated that the FCT administration was tasked with handling this request, and as part of the process, community and citizen engagement was initiated to inform the affected residents of the impending demolition.
Galadima also indicated that approximately 150 to 200 residential properties, along with associated commercial stores, will be affected by the demolition. When questioned about compensation for those impacted, he stated, “We will discuss with the Air Force, because obviously discussion behind the scene indicates that some forms of compensation were paid, but we have to be certain that this compensation actually were paid, and also who was really given this compensation.”
Furthermore, Galadima emphasized the need for thorough investigation and engagement with the Department of Resettlement and Compensation to ascertain the validity of the compensation claims. He noted concerns about security, as the area earmarked for demolition is known to harbor criminal elements, posing a potential risk due to its close proximity to the Air Force formation, housing the presidential fleet.
In the pursuit of transparency and community involvement, Galadima underscored the importance of targeted engagement, stating, “So, we have to do some community engagement. It is not the entire community because we have gone around and we have seen the areas affected by the presidential fleet plot and the areas that are outside that plot.”
The decision to demolish these structures not only impacts the residents but also raises questions about compensation, security, and the broader implications for community development in the area. As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to uphold transparency and accountability in addressing the needs of those affected while considering the larger strategic interests at play.
