- Nuwalege community in Abuja urges FCT Minister Nyeson Wike for resettlement housing after homes’ demolition for presidential fleet
- Community disputes Air Force’s compensation claim, seeks legal process, emphasizes need for housing, not monetary compensation for displaced residents
The Nuwalege community in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is urging FCT Minister Nyeson Wike to facilitate resettlement housing for its members affected by the demolition of their homes to make way for the presidential fleet.
Following the minister’s directive to the Department of Development Control, instructing Nuwalege community along Airport Road, Abuja, to vacate for the presidential fleet plot, the community is seeking assistance.
Although the minister stated that compensation had been provided to the community based on a request from the Nigeria Air Force, Nuwalege community members, addressing journalists on Wednesday, called for a halt to the planned demolition.
Sarki Nuwalege, Bashir Daudu, emphasized the need for a legal process in executing such actions. Daudu contested the Air Force’s claim of compensating the community, asserting that no compensation had ever been received since the creation of Nuwalege.
Expressing the community’s readiness to relocate to government-provided resettlement housing, Daudu appealed to the FCT minister to intervene urgently. He emphasized that the community is not seeking monetary compensation but rather housing, highlighting the lack of alternatives for the displaced residents.
Daudu mentioned an ongoing court case with the FCT minister and the Nigeria Air Force, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the status quo.
Highlighting the Air Force’s repeated attempts to take over the land without providing resettlement housing, Daudu pointed out the community’s history of accommodating personnel from various agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
Appealing for justice for the community’s youth and elderly women, Daudu urged the government to consider the consequences of demolishing homes without ensuring proper resettlement options.
Samson Yalo, a long-time resident born before Nigeria gained independence, echoed the concerns, stating that the community’s demolition would leave him with nowhere to go. The plea from Nuwalege community underscores the delicate balance between development needs and the welfare of affected citizens.