By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has urge the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Administration to prioritize FCT’s original inhabitants’ relocation to suitable locations and compensate displaced individuals, considering economic, social, and cultural losses, involving community leaders in resettlement and compensation initiatives.
The House also want the Department of Resettlement, Integration, and Compensation to be transformed into an
agency with the responsibility of resettlement, integration, and farming, to original inhabitants and residents for agriculture purposes.
These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion on “Resettlement, Integration and Compensation of Ingenious Communities in the Federal Capital
Territory”, by Rep. Joshua Chinedu Obika on Wednesday at plenary.
Debating the motion Rep Obika noted that the Federal Capital Territory, being the administrative and political hub of Nigeria, has experienced rapid urbanization and population growth, promoting economic development but also posing challenges like inadequate infrastructure, housing shortages, and marginalization of indigenous communities.
The lawmaker said that at the start of construction works by the Shagari’s administration in the 1980s, it was stated
that people who would be affected by development projects would be given options to either choose to be resettled outside Abuja or remain within the FCT.
The motion reads: “Aware that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s attempted to resettle, integrate, and compensate indigenous communities, but was confronted with the huge costs of over N100 billion, with an exchange rate of N120 Naira to Dollar;
“Also aware that the previous administration’s compensation, integration, and resettlement of the original
inhabitants of the FCT has not yielded the desired result due to lack of proper coordination among departments in managing compensation, integration, and resettlement communities such as Jabi village, Jabi Samuel, Durumi, Piwoyi, Dawaki, Kuchibena, Jahi 1 and 2, Kadobinku in Gwarinpa, Galadima, Iddo Sarki, Guzape have not been compensated or integrated, and have been deprived of their farm lands;
Worried that the influx of criminal elements in FCT communities is causing increased crime and insecurity, exploiting vulnerabilities due to inadequate infrastructure, security measures, and economic opportunities.
The lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the Committees on Federal Capital Territory Administration and Federal Capital Territory Area Council and Ancillary Matters to oversight and address issues raised and ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation process, and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.