Abuja 2nd Runway: FG compensates community with N825m
The Federal Government has approved the sum of N825 million as compensation for the community affected by the construction of a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
A statement by Tunde Moshood, the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that the settlement with the Jiwa Community was reached at an inter-agency meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, settlement would allow for the eventual take-off of the delayed project at the airport.
The statement hinted that the community leaders had earlier disagreed with the Federal Government’s offer and had insisted on N2 billion compensation, but at the resolution meeting held, Keyamo said that the second runway ought to have been commissioned in June or July 2023.
Keyamo, however, regretted that the failure of the government to pay the due compensation stopped the government from mobilising the contractor to site.
He stated that the issues around compensation by law does not concern the Ministry of Aviation and that the humongous demand by the communities was not achievable and would set a bad precedent.
Keyamo expressed optimism of quick completion of the project since a resolution had been reached by all parties involved.
He assured the communities of the social corporate responsibility they stand to enjoy along with the commencement of the project and explained that the project would benefit the communities in terms of economic activities.
Also speaking, Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, said he was willing to identify himself with the community.
Wike urged all stakeholders to support the second runway project and assured all that the compensation of N825, 819, 119. 43 to the communities would commence immediately.
Aside from the N825 million compensation, the two ministers also announced the immediate employment of 22 graduates from Jiwa Community.
The ministers also promised the construction of Tundanmadaki Bridge that connected nine communities with an additional 5km road.
The issue of a modern health facility for the community was also muted.
At the end of the resolution meeting, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole and Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Federal Capital Territory, respectively, joined the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa and some village and district heads to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the communities.
