FCTA Plans Demolition of 200 Houses for Presidential Fleet Expansion

In response to a request from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given the green light for the demolition of 200 houses in Nuwalege community, situated in close proximity to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. The move is aimed at making way for the expansion of the Presidential Fleet.

During a community and citizens’ engagement session on Tuesday, Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control, revealed the decision and shed light on the process. He explained that the Nigerian Air Force had approached the FCT Administration seeking to remove the village, as it falls within the earmarked plots for the presidential fleet.

Galadima stated, “The minister, in his wisdom, requested that they allow the FCT Administration to handle it because it is the responsibility of the FCT Administration.” Emphasizing the need for transparency, he mentioned ongoing discussions on compensation, indicating that around 150 to 200 houses, along with associated commercial stores, would be affected.

Addressing compensation concerns, Galadima affirmed, “We will discuss with the Air Force. Discussions behind the scenes indicate that some form of compensation was paid, but we have to be certain that these compensations were paid, and to whom?” He highlighted the forthcoming investigations involving the FCT Administration and the Nigerian Air Force to ascertain the details of compensation and its recipients.

Galadima stressed the importance of community engagement, acknowledging that it was not the entire community that would be affected. He stated, “We have discussed and informed the chief why we are here and we are coming back again for a wider consultation, involving the Nigerian Air Force, our colleagues, and then the community heads. So I think we have done the needful by engaging them adequately.”