The Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, FCDA has set aside an estimated sum of N1.5b for compensation for economic trees and crops to the natives and residents of Gwagwa community.
The Authority explained that out of the N1.5b, it has already commenced the compensation with the sum of three hundred million Naira, 300m to the natives as part of measures to pave way for the commencement of work on the provision of engineering infrastructure to the first Land Swap District.
The Developer who flagged off the first phase of payment for compensation of about 300 million naira out of the estimated 1.5 billion
The pilot phase of the Land Swap initiative designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the FCT has taken off with the commencement of payment for compensation for economic trees and crops in Gwagwa District by Messr Gwagwa Concession Ltd in Abuja recently.
At the commencement of issuance of the compensation cheques to affected members of the communities at the Authority’s Conference in Abuja recently, the Executive Secretary FCDA Board, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmad said “We just flagged off the payment of compensation for economic trees and crops concerning the acquisition of the land in Gwagwa District, meant for the development of infrastructure, through the land swap arrangement and initiative of the FCT Administration.
“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 very prepared to go on and with an experienced investor who has shown a great level of commitment to the Land Swap programme as a pilot scheme.
The Executive Secretary noted that the Administration is excited about the development and believes 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 funds and other competitive demands“, he added.
Shielding more light on the compensation, the Director, Department of Resettlement and Compensation, Perpetua Ohammah, “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”.
The Manager, Operations, Resettlement and Compensation of Gwagwa Concession limited, Ishaku Dalhatu Batagarawa, assured the Administration and Communities of their commitment to the life-changing projects which when completed many will be fully engaged in so many economic activities.
On behalf of the communities, the District Head of Gwagwa under Jiwa, Mallam Shauibu Bawa said: we are satisfied with the entire process and pledge our cooperation to the Administration.
Dominica Nwabufo
