FCTA resettlement policy: N18.84bn to go for compensation

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its engineering subsidiary, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has reiterated its determination to ensure full development of the nation’s capital in line with its mandate.

The Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, gave the assurance during the mid-term media briefing on achievements of the Authority, and revealed that the organisation required not less than N18.84 billion to complete resettlement of original inhabitants in Abuja.

Preparation of a master plan for the FCT, establishment of infrastructural services, provision of municipal services and the coordination of developmental activities of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government within the FCTA are our responsibilities”.

The FCDA boss, who listed some of the above as responsibilities of the Authority, disclosed that the FCT’s development was in five phases, adding that the while phase one, which comprise districts like Garki, Wuse, Maitama and Asokoro, among others have been fully developed;

Phase two, comprising Utako, Jabi, Wuye, Jahi and Gudu districts are in various stages of development.

According to him, works in Karmo, Idu and Mbora districts, in addition to districts specified in the Abuja Master plan, Katampe extension, Maitama Extension and Guzape that were later created; and all of these were at various stages of development.

Noting that the FCDA did not engage in new projects, Jibrin explained that he relied on a policy statement earlier made by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who said: “In the face of the myriad of needs demanding for scarce resources and the numerous uncompleted and abandoned projects, which if completed will have immediate positive impact on the city and its inhabitants, we do not intend to embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect.

Our priority in the short run, therefore, will be the completion of ongoing projects as may be appropriately reviewed”.

Accordingly, he revealed that the FCDA has continued to deliver on many projects which are at various stages of completion.

They include rehabilitation and expansion of Lots one and two of the 10-lane Outer Northern Expressway –ONEX (Kubwa); that of Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Villa roundabout to ring road 1, along with four interchanges and bridges; extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) from the OSEX to southern parkway; and the construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre to ring road 1.

Others include the provision of engineering infrastructure to phase 1 of the Abuja Technology Village Airport road; rehabilitation and expansion of Lots one and two of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua expressway (Airport Expressway); completion of roads B6, B12 and circular road in the Central Area; provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape Lot two; provision of roads and Engineering infrastructure to the new layout and the diplomatic area and the construction of tanks one and six.

The endless list of ongoing projects being handled by the FCDA also include the provision of engineering infrastructure to Jahi, Wuye, and Karmo, as well as access road to Gosa landfill; construction of one service carriageway of Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from ring road three to ring road four; and the resurfacing of existing roads and remedial works in Wuse 1 and Garki district, among others.

Speaking on the challenges of resettlement and compensation in the FCT, Engr. Jibrin revealed that the Authority has already, within this period, disbursed about N19.8 million for the compensation of 128 individuals, adding that it requires about N18.84 billion to complete four resettlement schemes of Apo, Galuwyi-Shere,‎ Wasa‎, and Anagada.
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He said: “Consequent upon the challenges faced with adopting the integration policy but with a strategy of a phased relocation of the original inhabitants that are within the FCC, in implementation of the new ‎policy, a total of twelve communities were earmarked for resettlement in the first phase.

Four Resettlement Schemes were identified for execution and are now at various stages of completion namely; Apo resettlement scheme: The scheme covers a total area of 450 hectares meant for Garki,Apo, and Akpanjanya communities. This is at 97% completion. So far, a total amount of N2.6 billion has been paid, while the project still needs a balance of N84.2 million to be completed and rolled out.

Galuwyi-Shere Resettlement scheme: the scheme covers a total area of hectares with the first phase implementation meant for Utako, Maje, Mubushi, Jabi Samuel, Jabi Yakubu, Kpadna and Zhilu and is about 75 % completion. To date, the sum of N9 billion has been spent leaving a balance of N3.2 billion required for its completion.

Wasa Resettlement Scheme: the scheme covers a total of 700 hectares with the first phase of implementation meant for Chika and Aleita communities. This is at about 67 % completion in the provision of housing. The sum of N1.1 billion will be required to complete this project.

Anagada (5, 000 hectares) meant for resettlement of 84 communities that make up the present Jiwa/Gwagwa, Idu and Iddo Sarki Chiefdom which is yet to commence. The cost implication of this scheme stands at N13.8 billion”.

He continued: “It must be noted that the resettlement policy within the FCT requires the authority to provide houses and infrastructural facilities at the resettlement sites. In the first quarter of 2017, a total of N19.8 million was disbursed to 128 individuals as compensation presently, a lot of valuation of compensation of structures are ongoing, while some that are completed are awaiting confirmation or approval respectively.

The valuation for compensation in the acquisition of the rehabilitation and expansion of the outer Southern Express way (OSEX from Villa round about to Ring Road 1 junction is also awaiting payment to tune of N225.1 million is ready for payment on structures for the proposed Nyanya New Motor Park”.

Some of the challenges identified by the executive secretary include uncontrolled influx of people into the city, inadequate funding, as well as those surrounding resettlement of original inhabitants, among others.