Wike demolishes Kishiri, insists govt won’t be held hostage
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday led the demolition of Kishiri Village in Katampe District to pave the way for the construction of Arterial Road N16.
Wike, who personally supervised the exercise, maintained that the government would not be held hostage by a few individuals resisting the project.
Addressing journalists at the demolition site, Wike emphasized that the government had engaged the community on multiple occasions, urging them to cooperate.
“Well, you realize that I have been here for more than four times. We have sat down with the community leaders and their chiefs. We’ve told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, the CGC, will be able to connect this road and then hand it over by May ending,” he said.
According to him, despite assurances and a compensation package for displaced residents, the community continued to resist the demolition.
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“The traditional ruler, of course, pleaded with us to give them one week. The money for compensation has been made available. And we did also promise them that as part of that, we will make it available somewhere they can relocate,” he stated.
Wike expressed disappointment that work on the project had stalled despite these efforts, attributing the delay to resistance from some residents.
“But with all these assurances, it does appear from what I got in the report that work is not going on. And I did inform the traditional ruler that this work has to go on. And an office of no government would fall in steps and allow people to sabotage for the interest of the public, not as if anybody is coming to acquire land to build houses,” he asserted.
The minister disclosed that he had decided to personally oversee the demolition after receiving reports of delays.
“So I called them from Milan that I’m going to be personally here to supervise this demolition. And that’s what I came for, to let them know that it’s no longer going to be business as usual,” he explained.
He further stressed that the government had already granted sufficient time for relocation and would not allow a few individuals to frustrate the project.
“We have given them enough time. I’m not going to say, because of a few people, the government will not do their work. We’ve given them more than two, three months. And nobody, I can’t just fold my hands and say, okay, let it just stop. No, we won’t do that. ” he insisted.
Wike also dismissed claims that compensation had not been provided, noting that funds had already been made available, although the residents refused to collect it.
“Even the money for compensation have been given, and they say that they will not accept, which means the job will not go on. And we will not allow that. We will not allow that,” he emphasized.
He directed affected residents to resolve any outstanding compensation issues with the appropriate authorities, making it clear that the government would not back down.
“Well, that has to do with the Director of settlement. So let them go back to them and work it out. But if they don’t want, it’s their business,” he concluded.
