The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished structures obstructing the construction of N16 billion road project in Gishiri community of Katampe District in the nation’s capital.
Carried out under the strict supervision of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, the exercise is meant to fast-track the completion and delivery of the project by May this year.
Wike, who spoke to journalists at the road construction site, explained that the demolition had to take place after repeated failed negotiations with the community leaders as well as government warnings that were ignored
He said the government had offered compensation and resettlement plans to the affected residents, but they refused to accept the offers, and the FCTA was left with no option but to enforce the law in the overall public interest.
The contract award covers for the construction of a dual carriageway from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, by NICON Junction, to Wole Soyinka Way, with a completion target set for May
The FCT Minister said his personal supervision of the demolition demonstrate the administration’s resolve at giving the people dividends of democracy, stressing that the affected buildings were brought down for the project to continue since the contractor has May 2025 deadline to deliver the job.
He warned that the FCT administration would no longer condone illegalities and sabotage by some individuals and groups, maintaining that public interest must take precedence over illegal encroachments and indiscriminate erection of structures.
According to him, “I personally came here to supervise this demolition, and I want them to know that it’s no longer business as usual.
“We have given them more than two, three months. We have also provided compensation and a resettlement plan. What more is humane than that?
“You realize that I have been here more than four times. We have sat down with the community leaders and their chiefs. I have told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, CGC, will be able to complete this road and hand it over by May.
“I did inform the traditional ruler that this work has to go on. No government will sit back and allow people to sabotage a public interest project.”
Further explaining that provision has been made for compensation funds, the Minister advised the affected Gishirii villagers to approach the Department of Compensation and Resettlement whenever they are ready to cooperate with the FCT Administration for peaceful settlement of the matter.
The Minister being physically presence at the construction site did not deter some angry villagers who threw stones and other dangerous materials at the officials and bulldozers carrying out the demolition process.
However, they were later disperse by Security operatives deployed to handle the near-volatile situation.
