By Stanley Onyekwere
The pilot phase of the Land Swap initiative designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the FCT has kicked off with the commencement of payment of a total estimated sum of 1.5 billion Naira compensation for economic trees and crops in Gwagwa District, by Messr Gwagwa Concession ltd.
In particular, the Developer, flagged off the first phase of the compensation payment with about 300 million naira out of the estimated sum for for economic trees and crops to the natives and residents of Gwagwa community, signalling capacity and readiness to move to site, years after the programme was conceived.
A statement from the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Department of Resettlement and compensation, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Felicia Anthony Okoro, which was made available to newsmen yesterday, said payment of the compensation to the natives is a major part of measures to pave way for commencement of work on the provision of engineering infrastructure to the first Land Swap District.
Speaking at the commencement of issuance of the compensation cheques to affected members of the communities recently, FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, said the payment commencement is to ensure accelerated development of infrastructure, through the land swap arrangement and initiative of the FCT Administration.
According to him: “We hold this payment of compensation very critical because the Hon. Minister has performed the flag off of the land swap programme in the FCT.
“Now, the community and FCT residents will know that the FCT Administration is really very prepared to go on and with experienced investor who has shown great level of commitment to the Land Swap programme as a pilot scheme.
“The Authority is excited about the development and believe that Upon completion, the scheme will usher in the much desired infrastructure growth and accelerated development in partnership with the private sector.
“This no doubt is coming as a big relief to the government who opted for the Land Swap initiative when it was obvious that government alone could no longer fund infrastructural development through budgetary provision due to paucity of fund and other competitive demands”.
Explaining details of the compensation, Director, FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation, Perpetua Ohammah, said :”We have two cheques being presented to each person. One is as agreed with the Chief. That’s a base value for every indigene that is going to lose his land.
On his part, Manager Operations, Resettlement and Compensation of Gwagwa Concession limited, assured the Administration and Communities of their commitment to the this life changing projects which when completed many will be fully engaged in so many economic activities.
Also, speaking on behalf of the communities, District Head of Gwagwa under Jiwa ,Mallam Shauibu Bawa said: “We are satisfied with the entire processes and pledge out cooperation to the Administration”.
