Wike Clarifies Compensation Policy for FCT Road Project Affected Residents

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the ongoing road development project in the territory, stating that compensation will only be provided to residents whose homes are directly impacted by the construction work.

During a live media chat on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, Wike emphasized that the primary goal of the project is to foster community development, and only properties situated along the road corridor will be affected. He stated, “The road is for the development of the people. We are not taking the whole community, just the road corridor. Only those whose houses were affected should be compensated.”

Wike’s comments come in the wake of his order for the demolition of buildings obstructing the construction of Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, part of the Federal Capital City (FCC). The Minister also revealed that he has visited the site several times and engaged with community leaders, offering compensation and relocation options to the impacted residents.

Despite these efforts, Wike noted that some structures still remain, hindering the progress of the project. “I have visited this site more than four times and have engaged with community leaders and their chiefs. It is crucial for them to cooperate with the government so that CGC, our contractor, can complete this road by May,” he said.

Wike also addressed criticism and attempts to sabotage the project, asserting that his role is to ensure the successful execution of the development. “If we are coming to a community and say the whole community should evacuate, then you can say we should compensate, not when it’s just 20 houses. Now, we are doing that, and you are trying to sabotage us. I have a job to do, and my job is to execute that project,” he explained.

On the issue of relocation, the Minister stated that it is only justifiable to build new houses when an entire community is displaced, not when a limited number of homes are affected. He argued, “If we are relocating a community, then we can go and build houses for them, not just 20 or 50 houses for a road corridor. Sometimes, it doesn’t take all the houses, maybe just some part of it. Where does that happen anywhere in the world?”

Wike also criticized the politicization of traditional institutions, warning against interference with government projects. “The traditional rulers are playing some politics; you can’t do that with me. We respect traditional institutions, but you can’t sabotage our work,” he stated.

This marks a further clarification of the government’s approach as it seeks to complete key infrastructure projects within the FCT.