FCTA shops for N500b to resettle Abuja aborigines

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) is seeking N500 billion to resettle original inhabitants of 13 villages within the Abuja city.It also advanced poor funding for the parlous infrastructure in some of the districts captured in Phases II, III and IV of the Federal Capital City (FCC).

The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Umar Jibrin, dropped the hint during a retreat at the weekend.Represented by one Richard Dauda, he noted that the issue of resettlement of aborigines and their compensation was among the challenges that had stalled the proper planning and successful implementation of the Abuja project in accordance with its master plan.

The executive secretary said the fund was needed for provision of engineering infrastructure and compensation of about 33 villages within phases II, III and partly IV of the city where 213,046 people live in an area covering 673.20 hectares.

His words: “The total cost for the resettlement of these communities, comprising completion of ongoing resettlement schemes, development of new ones and provision of infrastructure, is in the region of about N0.5 trillion.”There are presently 33 villages within the phases II, III and part of phase IV of the Federal Capital City that are to be resettled, 29 of them make a total population of 213,046 and occupy a land area of 673.20 hectares spread around 15 districts which have ongoing engineering infrastructure projects.”

Jibrin further explained that due to dwindling allocations to the FCTA, the body was considering several alternative sources of funding, including the land swap initiative of the previous administration.”The Authority is presently considering an alternative funding window in line with the land swap programme that will substantially complement public funding for the resettlement of the original inhabitants through private investment flows.”

Also speaking on efforts to develop the nation’s capital, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa, stated that the present administration had made enormous progress in the area of manpower and infrastructure development.Represented by the FCT Press Corps chairman, Attah Ikharo, he urged the incoming administration to be prudent with the scarce resources at its disposal.