Abuja Airport: Government compensates natives with N826.82m over new runway project

*Nyesom Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, at a recent meeting of stakeholders, announces payment of N825.819 million compensation to affected natives of Jiwa Community over the construction of a second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has hinted the initial threats against the construction of the N3.4 billion second runway project at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, FCT, may have been averted with the announcement of N825.819 million compensation for the natives in the affected community.

ConsumerConnect learnt Mr. Nyesom Wike, Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, at a recent meeting of stakeholders, announced that the months-long dispute regarding the establishment of a second runway for the airport had been resolved.

Wike disclosed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved N3.4 billion for the construction of a second runway for the airport.

Hitherto, part of the Jiwa Community, which hosts the runway, had protested against their eviction from their ancestral lands, demanding compensation from the government, according to report.

The Minister, however, told the community leaders st the stakeholders’ meeting that he understood their pains, and would do all in his power to get them their due compensation.

He subsequently, directed the immediate payment of N825 million compensation to the affected land-owners of the Jiwa community, in FCT.

The FCT Minister explained the Federal Government has been able to settle, amicably, with the community, and contractors would then move to site to begin construction of the airport runway.

He also stated: “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.”

Wike said: “As part of the incentives to the community, there are 12 immediate employment slots from the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies, as the case may be, and 10 from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for Jiwa community.”

The Minister further disclosed the Federal Government would construct Tunga Madaki Bridge, which will be in the 2024 Budget.

This is expected to embrace a five-kilometre road, and a modern healthcare facility for the community in the area.

“I know how you are feeling. I am from a community where the government has taken virtually all the land for development.

“So, if there is anything that should be done to make you happy, I will carry it on my head,” Wike reportedly assured.

He also noted: “But the truth remains that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.

“If the Aviation ministry had concerned itself with the runway project alone, we would not have found ourselves here; but they came to usurp the job of the FCTA.”

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