By Daniel Edu
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, engaged in discussions with the Jiwa community in Abuja. In attendance were officials from both ministries and representatives from their respective agencies.
Following this meeting, Wike disclosed that compensation amounting to N825.819 million has been designated for the Jiwa indigenes as part of the agreement for the construction of the 4.2 km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Wike explained that the N825.8 million has been allocated as an incentive for the residents to relocate from the community and cooperate in the successful completion of the second Abuja runway project, which had initially been awarded in 2022.
Moreover, Wike stated that the FCT administration will oversee the construction of a 5 km bridge in the Tunga Madaki community. Additionally, a modern healthcare facility will be established, serving as a temporary resettlement site for the indigenes.
Assuring the commencement of work, Wike urged the contractors to resume their operations, emphasizing that the approved funds would be disbursed on the following day.
Previously, the Jiwa community had initiated negotiations with the Federal Government, asserting a compensation demand of N2.5 million per hectare.
Keyamo also addressed the situation via a Twitter post, indicating a peaceful resolution between himself, Wike, the Sarki of Jiwa, and community representatives within the FCT. He affirmed that compensation and related matters obstructing the initiation of the second runway’s construction had been amicably resolved.
Keyamo’s tweet reads:
“Yesterday, my colleague in the FCT Ministry, his Minister of State and I met with the Sarki of Jiwa and representatives of the community within the FCT and peacefully resolved the issues of compensation and ancillary matters that hindered the commencement of the construction of the second runway at the Abuja International Airport.”
“We announced the full package of compensation by the FG, which they accepted. The contractors are expected to immediately mobilise to the site.”