Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the territory to support government projects in the interest of the public, especially as they relate to issues of ‘right of way’.
The minister gave the charge on Monday in Abuja when he inspected some ongoing projects, including a flyover bridge at NICON Junction, Judges Quarters in Katampe District and some access roads in the area.
On the issue of compensation for those affected by the infrastructure, he said: “Well, I am not in the compensation department. I am not a valuer. It is only when they have done their work and submitted to me, then I will look at the value and we will look at the number of houses that have been affected. But for now, I cannot say there are 20 houses or 30 houses.
“What I am trying to say is that compensation in terms of building roads houses that are affected, you pay part of it. Or if the entire house is going, you pay the full compensation. But not when you are saying that you want to settle the entire community, because the road is not passing through the entire community. It is a section of the community.
“So, we will do everything, and I want to plead with the community that they are going to be the ones that will benefit from this road directly. You can imagine how it was, and see how it is now, and then by the time it is finished with streetlights everywhere, I mean, it is to their own benefit. I appeal that everybody should give support so that we can achieve this very important project.”
The minister, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on all the projects inspected, noting that he was delighted to see rapid developments in the area following his decision to construct the roads.
On whether he was satisfied with his achievements so far, the minister said: “You should assess me. You should assess. I can’t set an examination for myself, mark, and grade myself. It is for the public to really assess. We have the presidential monitoring team for the deliverables.”