The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, supervised the demolition of parts of Gishiri community in Katampe District, Abuja.
Wike explained during the exercise in Abuja, that the demolished structures were built on a road corridor.
According to the minister, the action became necessary due to the failure of the affected residents to relocate.
He recalled that the FCT Administration had awarded a contract for the construction of a dual carriageway from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, by NICON Junction, to Wole Soyinka Way, expected to be completed in May.
He said that funds for compensation have been made available, including a site for the affected persons to relocate to.
He, however, said that the affected residents refused to collect the compensation and relocate, “meaning the job will not go on. We will not allow that.
“I have been here more than four times.
“We have sat down with the community leaders and told them the need to cooperate with the government so that the contractor will be able complete the project and hand it over by May.
“The traditional leaders pleaded with us to give them one week. The money for compensation has been made available and we made available somewhere where they can relocate.
“However, with all these assurances, it does appear that work is not going on and I did inform the traditional rulers that this work has to go on.”
The minister, who said “enough is enough”, stressed that no government would fold its arms and allow people to sabotage a project being executed for the interest of the public.
He expressed dismay that the people refused to cooperate with the government even when the space was not being acquired by some person to build houses.
“So, I called the community leaders while away I. Milan Italy, that I am going to be personally here to supervise this demolition and that’s what I came for.
“Let them know that it is not going to be business as usual.
He said that the government has done what was humanly possible by giving the affected persons more than three months to do what is right.
“I can fold my arms and say let the work stop. No, we won’t do that. We will not do that. We have given them enough time.
“Are we going to say because of few people government will not do their work
On the way forward, the minister said that the director of compensation and resettlement would go back to the community and work out what would be feasible for the affected residents.
“If they don’t want it, it is their business,” Wike said.
Reacting to the demolition exercise, some of the angry residents threw stones on the operators of the bulldozers.
The police and other security agencies at the scene had to use teargas to disperse the angry youths to bring them under control. (NAN)
