Some concerned Abuja natives converged yesterday in Kpaduma community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where they called on the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike to integrate them into the Abuja master plan as an adequate compensation for their suffering over the years, and not be removed from their ancestral land, to a strange land all in the name of relocation.
Also, they urged the minister disregard statements claiming that Kpaduma community members have been compensated and relocated by previous administrations.
This was contained in a communique issued by the representatives of the indigenes of Kpaduma I., 11, Guzape, Appekyi, Dakibiyu, Dape, Zhilu, Maje and Gishiri communities, which was read by their spokesperson, Hon. Bala Iyah, during a press conference held in the Kpaduma III.
The natives expressed their concerns following Wike’s statement about recent demolitions in Gishiri, where he alleged that residents of Kpaduma community had been compensated two decades ago.
“We the representatives of the indigenes of Kpaduma I., 11, Guzape, Appekyi, Dakibiyu, Dape, Zhilu, Maje and Gishiri communities, hereby issue this communiqué in response to the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory’ s press briefing after the demolition of some houses in Gishiri community in the FCT.
“First and foremost, we want to state that the Honorable Minister is one of us, as he lives among us here in the Kpaduma community, and we are happy and proud to be his host community.
“The first point we want to react to is the statement made by the minister when he mentioned our community and stated that we have been compensated about 20 years ago.
“We want to say here and now that we have never been compensated or relocated by any administration,” the communique read in part.
The natives also underscored the legal aspects concerning road corridors, asserting that any affected residents should receive adequate compensation and be relocated within the community, rather than receiving insufficient payments that fail to support their housing needs.
“The second issue raised by the Honorable Minister, which we need to address, is the issue of road corridors.
“We want to state that when a road corridor affects the house of any indigene, they should not only be compensated but must also be relocated to another building within their community.
“That is the position of the law, and as a lawyer, the Honorable Minister should know better. You cannot demolish a house belonging to an indigene and provide a ridiculous sum as compensation that cannot even pay their rent for one year,” Iyah quoted the communique.
Furthermore, the natives while stressing their status as law-abiding citizens, disclosed that they have a court injunction preventing any demolitions in their area.
They reiterated their commitment to the community’s development while maintaining that due process must be followed to protect residents’ rights.
While appreciating recent developments initiated by Wike, the natives stated that they remain hopeful for a favourable resolution while firmly opposing any illegal actions regarding their properties.
They however, expressed gratitude for the minister’s efforts and called for continued adherence to the rule of law.
