In a significant move aimed at easing the impact of ongoing development, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved a full-scale increase in compensation for residents of Guzape and Kpaduma communities affected by road construction activities.
The Minister announced that affected residents will receive double the initially proposed compensation. He also pledged swift action on resettlement and the issuance of legal documentation for all eligible individuals.
The decision was disclosed during a stakeholder engagement on Monday in Abuja, which brought together traditional leaders and local representatives. The meeting aimed to address lingering concerns surrounding the displacement of residents within the path of the new road corridor.
“No one will be removed unfairly,” Wike assured the gathering. He directed the FCT Department of Resettlement to reassess the cost of compensation and ensure immediate adjustments. “Review the figures,” Wike stated. “Whatever the previous amount was, double it.”
He emphasized that compensation would only apply to properties directly impacted by the road construction, not to the entire communities.
According to officials, the road development project is a key component of a larger urban renewal initiative intended to reduce congestion and improve mobility within the capital.
Wike further instructed that updated Right of Occupancy documents be prepared for the affected households, ensuring that their relocation process is both legal and seamless.
The compensation adjustment comes as residents raised concerns over delays in relocation and the adequacy of previous offers. Wike’s directive now sets the stage for a more inclusive and humane implementation of the development project.
