The FCT Administration has clarified the issue of resettlement and compensation of the four original inhabitant communities and the non-natives currently living within the area earmarked for the Centenary City project. A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi pointed out that a total of N319,574,978:00 has been set aside for payment of compensation for crops and economic trees belonging to natives of the affected four native communities, namely Dayisna, Toge, Kpaikpai and Baruwa, while a total of N915,172,098.59 is for compensation to other residents mainly non-natives whose allocated plots/approved structures in the area were affected by the Centenary City project.
The statement explained that while affected original inhabitants in two of the communities, Dayisna and Toge have been fully compensated for their crops and economic trees, the payments of their counterparts in Kpaikpai and Baruwa is ongoing. It urged the affected natives and non-natives to exercise patience while the processes are being carried out to their logical conclusion.
It may be recalled that the Administration during the signing of the Centenary City Development Agreement with developers stated that “about N1.2 billion had been set aside, being 100 percent compensation for crops and economic trees of the original inhabitants as well as structures of the none natives allocated plots within the project area”.
Under the scheme, the original inhabitants of the four native communities including Ruga are to be resettled at a new settlement to be built for them by the investors of the Centenary City project. That explains why they are not being paid compensation for their current structures within the Village.
The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, had earlier this month signed an agreement with private investors for the development of the Abuja Centenary City in commemoration of the 100 years of Nigerian nationhood.
The agreement wnt was signed between the FCT Administration and Nigeria Centenary City Plc chaired by a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Friday, 11th April 2014 in his office at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja.
The Centenary City project is an initiative of the Federal Government to commemorate the centenary celebration of Nigeria. The City project covers a total of 1,200 hectares of land located on the Kuje side of the Umaru Yar’Adua Expressway (Airport Road).
Under the project, 20 percent of the plots are earmarked for residential houses while 80 percent is for mixed use and commercial purposes. The FCT Administration is to maintain five percent equity share in the project.
