FCT Minister Wike promises to compensate residents affected by construction

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has assured residents affected by the construction of Arterial Road N5, which runs from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, that they will be compensated.

Wike made this commitment during an inspection of ongoing projects in Life Camp, Katampe, and the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Monday.

The Minister inaugurated the construction of the 4-kilometre six-lane dual carriageway from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III on October 25.

This project is part of the Arterial Road N5, also known as Obafemi Awolowo Way, and is designed to connect several districts, including Kado, Karmo, Gwarimpa I, Dape, Ido-Gwari, as well as Saburi and Dei Dei.

During his inspection of the project being executed by Julius Berger, Wike acknowledged that some cash crops and houses along the road corridor would be impacted. He reassured residents that they would be compensated within the next two days, whether it involved cash payments or relocation.

“What we went to do at Life Camp has to do, majorly, with some crops and some small number of houses that we need to pay compensation for, but if it requires relocating them, we’ll do; if it requires just compensation, we’ll do, depending on what is feasible,” he stated.

“What is important to us is that we are working together with the various communities to solve the problem.”

Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction and noted that local residents were pleased with the road development. He also provided an update on the construction of an access road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway to Judges Quarters in Katampe District, revealing that the project scope had been expanded to connect with N20, named after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

The Minister confirmed that the contractor had committed to completing the additional work within the same timeframe, aiming for completion by May 2025.

Furthermore, Wike inspected the renovation of the International Conference Centre, praising Julius Berger for the quality of the work being done.

He anticipated that the project would be completed and ready for use by April next year, stating, “We are going to have an International Conference Centre that can meet the standard of any other international conference centre in the world.”

Looking ahead, Wike assured that most projects would be inaugurated in May 2025 to celebrate the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He emphasized the FCT Administration’s commitment to transforming Abuja into a capital city that rivals the best in the world. Additionally, he mentioned that satellite towns are also undergoing improvements, along with renovations at more than 32 schools to enhance the quality of life for residents.