By Remi Johnson
Compensation is coming the way of life camp and katampe residents affected by the ongoing road construction, as the FCT Minister , Mr Nyesom Wike, has given two day ultimatum to Department of Resettlement and Compensation to compensate indigenous people with economic trees and houses in the Area.
Wike gave the two day ultimatum to the Department when he inspected the ongoing road construction in the Areas, and rehabilitation of the International Conference in Abuja.
Wike explained that the timely relocation or compensation of the affected persons in these communities would enable the contractors handling the project to carry out their duties unhindered before next year rains sets in.
Wike therefore reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure that those that deserves to be compensated are compensated promptly to ensure that the awarded contracts in these area are completed and delivered within the stipulated time frame.
“What we went to do at Life Camp has to do majorly with the crops, and then there are some small houses that we need to compensate.
“If it requires relocating them, we will do so; if it requires just compensation, we will proceed accordingly. It depends on what is available. What is important to us is that we are working together with the various communities.” Wike noted
The Minister also expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of the ongoing projects, and commended the positive reactions from the indigenous residents.
In Katampe, where CGC is responsible for the construction, Wike announced plans to extend the scope of the contract to establish a connection to N20.
“The contractors have agreed that they will still complete it even though it is an additional job at the same timeframe, which is next year May. We are happy with that commitment”. Wike said
On the rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre, Wike said the upgrade of the edifice will make it to be at par with global standard, and prevent Nigeria from previous embarrassment faced during the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament due to the poor maintenance of the facility.
“Mr. President directed immediately that we must rehabilitate it to meet international standards. With what I’ve seen Julius Berger doing, I am quite satisfied that by the grace of God, April next year, they would have handed over this project, and it will be available for Nigerians to use”.
The FCT Minister also expressed optimism that these projects will be part of projects that will be commissioned to mark Mr President’s second year in office.